Dhaka, Dec 24

Nineteen Bangladeshi fishermen have returned to their homeland after completing three-year jail-term in India for having illegally entered the Indian territory, bdnews24.com reported.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) handed them over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Benaple frontiers Sunday night.

The fishermen, aged between 22 and 40, were later taken to Benapole Land port Police Station.

On Aug 6, 2010, two trawlers had drifted into Indian territory as a result of a storm while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said Nayeb Subedar Mohammad Abdullah, commander at Benapole Checkpost BGB Camp.

Indian coast guards arrested them and, following a 14-month trial, 21 fishermen were handed down three-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 51,500.

On Sunday, Indian government sent back 19 fishermen as they completed their term.

Meanwhile, two fishermen -- Sultan Howlader, 70, and Aftab Ali Jamaddar, 65, -- however, died while serving their jail term, the official added.

By:IANS