Mamata allegation of fishermen's torture 'unfounded', claims Bangladesh

DHAKA: Bangladesh on Thursday termed as "unfounded" and "fabricated" the allegation of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee that some of the 95 fishermen, released after over two months of detention there, were beaten up in custody.

The reciprocal repatriation of 90 Bangladeshi fishermen or crew detained in India and 95 Indian fishermen or crew detained in Bangladesh was completed on Jan 5 near the International Maritime Boundary Line. They were detained for straying into each others territorial waters.

In a statement, the Bangladesh foreign affairs ministry said it firmly rejects the allegations that "undermine the spirit of trust, goodwill and mutual respect between Bangladesh and India."

The ministry expressed "utter dismay and deep disappointment" over the "unfounded remarks and fabricated allegations" of ill-treatment, including physical abuses, of the Indian fishermen by Bangladeshi authorities during detention.

The matter was thoroughly investigated, and it was found that no such ill treatment or incident of physical abuse happened, it said.