Indian Coast Guard nabs 35 Bangladeshi fishermen for illegal fishing
The Indian Coast Guard recently caught two Bangladeshi boats and 35 crew members fishing without permission inside India's Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bay of Bengal.
The boats were stopped on December 16 during routine patrols, and the action was taken under India's law regulating foreign vessels.
What happened next: gear seized, legal action underway
When the Coast Guard boarded the boats, they found active fishing gear and about 500kg of fish, but no valid permits from the crew.
The fishermen and their catch were brought to Frazerganj harbor on December 17.
Local police have now arrested them for illegal entry, and legal proceedings are moving forward—they have been questioned and were to be produced before the Kakdwip court on Thursday afternoon.
Not a 1-off: repeated incidents in recent months
This isn't an isolated case—over the past three months alone, eight Bangladeshi boats with around 170 crew members have been caught for similar violations.
It highlights how illegal fishing by foreign vessels remains a challenge for India's coastal security teams.