BSF allegedly seizes boats from Bangladeshi fishermen in Sundarbans border

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have allegedly seized three boats and fishing gear from a group of Bangladeshi fishermen inside Bangladeshi territory in the West Sundarbans Satkhira Range.

The incident happened yesterday evening (15 April) in the Ulokhali Char area of the Kalindi River, near the India-Bangladesh border.

Ramzan Ali, one of the fishermen present during the incident, said eight men had gone fishing in the Sundarbans on 10 April after obtaining permission from the Koikhali Forest Station.

"On Tuesday, we were fishing with nets in Bangladeshi waters near the Ulokhali Char area as usual. In the evening, BSF personnel suddenly arrived in a speedboat from the Indian side and hit our boats with sticks, forcing us to get off," he said.

"They then took away all three boats along with the fishing nets. We made our way back through the Sundarbans on foot and returned home today (16 April) around 11am using other fishermen's boats," he added.

Koikhali Forest Station Officer Abdus Salam confirmed that the fishermen had valid permits to fish in the area.

"I have heard about the incident involving BSF taking away the boats. The fishermen have been asked to report to the office, and further details will be confirmed upon their arrival," he said.

Moshiur Rahman, assistant forest conservator of Sundarbans Satkhira Range, stated that the matter had been communicated to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

"The BGB has informed us that the issue may be taken up with the BSF upon submission of a formal application," he said.

Abdul Hamid Laltu, a local Union Parishad member of Ramzan Nagar Union, said, "All the fishermen have returned home safely. The Indian BSF acted unfairly by seizing their boats and gear."

The eight fishermen involved in the incident were identified as Ramzan Ali, Shahajan Ali, Shahadat Gazi, Shahajan Gazi, Ataur Gazi, Abdul Gazi, Keramat Ali, and Nur Mohammad.