Kolkata: The Bengal govt is going to release 12 Bangladeshi fishermen who are currently lodged in a Diamond Harbour jail on Saturday. They were acquitted by a Kakdwip court on Thursday. It is also making an all-out effort to get the 95 fishermen, who are now in a Bangladesh jail, released as part of a goodwill gesture.
"These 12 fishermen entered Indian waters after their boat capsized in mid-Sept and then they reached the shore of Patharpratima. They were charged under section 14 of the Foreigners Act. They were in jail since Sept 15. Now these fishermen, who are termed as Jan-khalas, are likely to reach their homes by next week after completing all formalities," an official said.
As they entered Indian waters due to an accident and unintentionally, they were released by the court, a state official said. A Nabanna official said they were in regular touch with the MEA officials to get the Bengal fishermen released from Bangladesh.
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