Bangladesh Navy arrested nine Indian fishermen along with a fishing trawler for illegally entering Bangladeshi waters and fishing in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday.

According to Mongla Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Zahidul Islam, Bangladesh Navy detained the trawler from the deep-sea area near the Fairway Buoy, close to Mongla seaport, while it was illegally fishing within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary.

Later, the detained Indian fishermen and their trawler were handed over to Mongla Police at the ferry ghat.

The seized Indian fishing boat contained approximately 1.5 metric tonnes of tuna fish, which will be dealt with later according to court directives.

Mongla Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Anisur Rahman confirmed the incident and said that the fishermen are all residents of Kakdwip area under South 24 Pargana district of West Bengal in India.

A case has been filed against the detained fishermen for illegal intrusion into Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and they will be produced before the Bagerhat court on Friday and will be sent to jail following legal procedures.

Earlier on 17 October, Bangladesh Navy seized another Indian fishing boat from the same area for similar violations.