TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Twenty-eight fishermen from KM BSK 45 vessel of Aceh Province were repatriated home on Saturday, January 30, by using Garuda aircraft. The 28 fishers were detained in Andaman, India, since March 2020, for entering the region without complete documents. They also allegedly conducted illegal fishing in Andaman waters.

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry and Embassy of New Delhi (KBRI New Delhi) provided legal assistance, consultation visit to the prison, and logistic needs.

The Indonesian fishermen were finally freed by the court on January 8, 2021. Before they were sent home, KBRI New Delhi performed PCR tests to make sure they are free from the coronavirus.

Once they arrived in Jakarta, the 28 fishers conducting quarantine based on the health measures set by the Covid-19 task force. The ministry also coordinated with Aceh Government and Fisheries Ministry to organize the fishers’ repatriation to their places of origin.

In 2020, the Foreign Affairs Ministry attempted to free and repatriate 22 Aceh fishermen from India and 51 from Thailand.

To avoid such cases from recurring, the Foreign Ministry, Aceh government, and Fisheries Ministry continue the Public Awareness Campaign, as well as strengthening the capacity of the fishermen, hoping they will have more knowledge and understanding about borderline when go fishing.

Read: Malaysian-flagged Boat Nabbed for Illegal Fishing at Malaka Strait

Suci Sekarwati