Forty-six of the 72 fishermen from West Bengal, who were arrested by the Bangladesh authorities for straying into the country’s waters last month, returned to South 24 Parganas district on Sunday.

Minister of State for Sunderban Affairs Manturam Pakhira said the 46 fishermen returned in three trawlers while the remaining fishermen would be released on December 5 and were likely to reach here on December 6. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ensured their early release by holding talks with the Bangladesh authorities.

2012, The Hindu