Bangladesh’s Yunus bends before India, agrees to release…., says the government will…

Bangladesh is going to release 95 Indian fishermen from its jail.

After reports of Bangladesh’s closeness with China and its distancing from India, the neighbouring country’s recent gesture shows that it does not want to spoil its relationship with India. Bangladesh is set to release 95 Indian fishermen from its jail. Around two and a half months ago, the country’s Coast Guard detained six trawlers from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, for allegedly entering Bangladeshi territorial waters. The 95 fishermen onboard were arrested.

Decision to Withdraw Cases

On Thursday, Deputy Secretary of the Public Security Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs Lutfun Nahar informed through a notification that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has decided to drop all cases filed against the 95 fishermen under the Marine Fisheries Act, 2020. The neighbouring country has also decided to return the six detained trawlers.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Raised Issue

After learning about the arrest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured action to bring them back to India. The WB government also highlighted attention of the central government to the matter.

India May Release Bangladeshi Fishermen

Meanwhile, Ministry of Home Affairs is also preparing to release as many as 90 Bangladeshi fishermen detained in India. The Chief Minister’s office has also engaged Kakdwip MLA Monturam Pakhira to assess the condition of the fishermen’s families.

Fake Passport Racket: Agent Manoj Gupta Tried to Escape to Bangladesh

In a related development, Manoj Gupta, an agent linked to a fake passport racket in West Bengal, was reportedly planning to escape to Bangladesh. He had shifted to a rented house in Gaighata, near the Bangladesh border. He is accused of providing fake identity, including Indian passports, to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Police Investigations

As per police, Gupta was connected to a fake travel agency operating out of Behala, South Kolkata. Suspecting that he might be the next to be arrested, he moved to Gaighata, trying to flee to Bangladesh.