Bangladeshi authorities on Tuesday released 178 Indian fishermen, all residents of West Bengal who had been arrested and jailed about two months ago for allegedly trespassing in that country's waters.
Minister of State, Sunderbans Unnayan Affairs, Monturam Pakhira said the fishermen, lodged in Bagerhat jail in Bangladesh, were released at 8 am.
Altogether 179 fishermen in 14 trawlers had been arrested by Bangladesh coastguard authorities two months back for trespassing while fishing.
One fisherman, Sanjay Samanta (45) died soon after his arrest, the minister said.
The Bangladeshi authorities had also released the coffin with his mortal remains, the minister added.
The 14 trawlers with 178 fishermen and the coffin had set sail for Namkhana in South 24-Parganas district today, Pakhira said.
The trawlers were expected to arrive in Namkhana tomorrow from where the fishermen would go to their respective residences in Namkhana, Kakdwip and East Midnapore, the minister said.
In January, 2015 around 25 Tamil fishermen from Thoothoor in Kanyakumai district were released after they were arrested by Bangladeshi navy.