The Bangladesh government pardoned 92 fishermen of Myanmar out of a good neighbourliness, who were caught for illegally entering into the Bangladesh territorial waters in December last year. According to the Bangladesh embassy in Yangoon, the authorities concerned in Myanmar were notified when the fishermen entered into the Bangladesh territorial waters in 12 fishing boats and were captured by the Bangladesh authorities for their illegal entry. On June 23, Bangladesh received a formal request for their clemency from Myanmar. In the spirit of good neighbourliness and in accordance with the Border Arrangement-1980 with Myanmar, the Bangladesh government expedited the process of granting clemency to the fishermen, said a Bangladesh embassy press release. Earlier, Myanmar pardoned and released 22 Bangladeshis in July this year and in August last year. It is expected that this friendly gesture will add to goodwill between the two countries, added the press release. The 1980 agreement provides for ground rules and procedures to deal with situations of such undetected crossing of international border.
2016 / thedailystar.net