A group of 79 Indian fishermen rescued on June 17 from Kuakata sea beach sailed for India on Thursday noon, being released from Patuakhali district Jail on Wednesday evening.
The fishermen said they were engaged in deep-sea fishing in the Indian water territory on June 17 in five Indian fishing trawlers – FB Annapurna, FB Ma Lakshmi, FB Sangkhadwip, FB Mamotamoyi, and FB Anandamoyi. All of them are from Kakdwip area of the Indian state of West Bengal.
They said on that day, a strong gust, high waves, and sharp current swept them into the Bangladesh water territory at about 10:00am. Later in the night, the strong current and high rolling waves pushed them to Kuakata beach area.
FB Anandamoyi hit an underwater shoal and sank at that time but its crew and fishermen were rescued by their fellows in the four other trawlers, said fisherman Manindra Das of the sunken trawler.
The fishermen sought refuge from Alipur Matsya Aratdar Samity in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali and were sent to Patuakhali district jail for safe custody.
After completion of the legal and diplomatic procedures, the fishermen left Alipur fishing port adjacent to Kuakata tourist resort on Thursday noon for home.
The Patuakhali jail super handed over them to Balobir Singh, first secretary to the Indian High Commission to Bangladesh, on Wednesday evening and they were brought to Alipur fishing port to receive their four trawlers rescued on the same fateful night.
Kalapara Coast Guard contingent commander MA Salam said a six-member team of Bangladesh Coast Guard escorted the Indian fishermen up to the end of Bangladesh water territory.
The owner of FB Mamotamoyi, which sunk near the coast, will come to Kuakata within three to four days to salvage the fishing trawler, the authorities said.
Source : New Age
