42 Bengal fishermen taken into Bangladesh custody

 At least 42 fishermen from West Bengal who had gone out into the seas, have been taken into custody by Bangladesh authorities, officials said here on Saturday.

All the fishermen hail from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district and are in the custody of Bangladesh police since last Friday.

"The fishermen in three fishing vessels were caught in a storm and strayed into Bangladesh waters. Subsequently they were apprehended by the Bangladesh authorities and are in their custody," said West Bengal Fishermen Association general secretary Joy Krishna Haldar.

He said the state government has been informed and urged to take steps to ensure they are freed.

Besides these 42 fishermen, another 37 fishermen who had ventured into Bangladesh territory and subsequently arrested, are still in their custody. "We have urged the state government to make efforts to secure the release of the all fishermen," added Haldar.

State Sunderbans Development Minister Manturam Pakhira said the state government was working to get the fishermen released.

"The central government has been informed about the issue. Also our chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) shares very good relations with the Bangladesh government. We are hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon," said Pakhira. - IANS