Indian Coast Guard reportedly detains two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers with 79 sailors

The Indian Coast Guard has reportedly detained two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers, FV Meghna-5 and FV Laila-2, along with 79 sailors, in the Bay of Bengal.

According to the trawler owners, the vessels were seized from the waters near the fairway buoy adjacent to Heron Point, close to Khulna's Mongla Port on Monday (9 December).

The FV Meghna-5 is owned by C&A Agro Limited, based in Chattogram, while the FV Laila-2 is operated by SR Fishing, owned by Siddiqur Rahman, also from Chattogram.

In written complaints submitted to the Directorate of Marine Fisheries, the owners stated that FV Meghna-5 had 37 sailors on board, while FV Laila-2 carried 42 fishermen.

Ansarul Haque, operations manager of C&A Agro Limited, said the sailors of the detained trawler have been in contact with the owners. 

"The latest information indicates that both trawlers are being towed to Odisha, India. However, we are still unclear about the reason behind their capture," he said today.

Bangladeshi authorities are investigating the incident, said Commodore Mohammad Maqsood Alam, managing director of the Directorate of Shipping.

Confirming the seizure, he said, "The trawlers were reportedly detained in Indian waters. Relevant government agencies, including the coast guard, are actively communicating with Indian authorities to resolve the matter."

Lt Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi, media officer at the coast guard headquarters, said, "We are aware of the situation and are gathering further information."