Silchar: A protest was held in Sribhumi on Monday seeking the release and repatriation of fisherman Balai Namasudra, who has been in a Bangladesh jail.The protesters submitted a memorandum to the President through the district administration, seeking the Centre’s intervention to secure Balai’s release.Balai (37), a resident of Gobindapur village under the Katigorah constituency in Cachar district, was arrested by Border Guard Bangladesh personnel near Kumarshail in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar district on Aug 27. He was subsequently produced before a court and sent to jail on charges of illegal entry into Bangladesh.Protesters said Balai inadvertently crossed the international boundary while fishing and urged the Centre to take up the matter with Bangladesh through diplomatic channels on humanitarian grounds.Protesters said accidental border crossings by fishermen and residents of frontier areas were not uncommon. They called for greater coordination between the two countries to ensure the speedy repatriation of Indian nationals detained under such circumstances.Balai’s family and village residents have been awaiting his return since his detention and are seeking early intervention from the Centre.
