111 Bangladeshi fishermen repatriated

Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) A total of 111 Bangladeshi fishermen were repatriated Thursday, on a day when West Bengal Chief Minister begins her three-day visit to Bangladesh.

Hours before her scheduled departure for Dhaka, Banerjee announced the repatriation of the Bangladeshi fishermen.

"Just like in the past, this year too, fishermen and Bangladeshi nationals who were arrested for crossing the border illegally, are being released," said Banerjee, who will be meeting Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit.

Banerjee said 1,826 Bangladeshi nationals were freed in 2012, followed by 3,127 in 2013. Last year, 2,424 Bangladeshi nationals were freed and allowed to go back to their country.

The 111 Bangladeshi fishermen released during the day were apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) from Frazerganj and Kultoli in South 24 Parganas district.

"After the Calcutta High Court sanctioned their release, 111 fishermen along with six fishing trolleys were handed over to Bangladeshi police with facilitation from the BSF," a BSF officer said.

"The Bangladeshi fishermen were handed over to the officer-in-charge of Shamnagar police station in Bangladesh near Shamsher Nagar border outpost," the officer added.