Nine fishermen back home after 100-day detention in Bangladesh
Nine fishermen from Visakhapatnam and neighbouring Vizianagaram district, who were detained for nearly three months in Bangladesh after their boat drifted into foreign waters, returned home on Sunday and reunited with their families in emotional scenes at the fishing harbour.
The fishermen were handed over at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and escorted by local boats that sailed out to receive them. As they reached the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, anxious family members welcomed them with tears of relief.
The group later met District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad at the Collectorate on Monday and thanked both the State and Central governments for securing their release.
Sharing their ordeal with the media at the harbour, the fishermen described the past 100 days as a period of uncertainty and fear. “It was a very difficult time,” said Marupalli Chinna Appanna from Relli Veedhi in the city.
Surada Appala Konda of Bhogapuram village in Vizianagaram district said he learned while in custody that he had become the father of a baby boy in December. “We did not know when we would see our families again. We feel fortunate to be back on Indian soil,” he said.
The fishermen said being lodged in a foreign jail was frightening, though they were treated fairly. Surapati Ramu expressed gratitude to the Indian High Commission for providing essential supplies and warm clothing during winter.
According to local fisherfolk association leader Dasu, the release was part of a reciprocal arrangement between India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh freed nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh and 14 from West Bengal, while India repatriated 128 Bangladeshi fishermen detained for similar crossings.
Fishermen’s association leaders urged the government to equip small boats with better GPS and safety gear to prevent accidental entry into foreign waters.
State Fisheries Minister K. Atchannaidu said the government remains committed to the welfare of fishermen and gives top priority to rescuing them when they face trouble in international waters.
The fishermen had set sail on October 13, 2025. Their boat developed engine trouble on October 21 and drifted into Bangladeshi territory, following which they were apprehended by the Bangladesh Coast Guard.