85 from seized Malaysia-bound trawler land in jail

Eighty-five men and women who were in a Malaysia-bound trawler, packed with 625 aspiring migrants, have landed in jail. Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Ahmad Sayeed gave the order once they were produced before him on Wednesday evening. Among them 19 were women and 66 men. All are Myanmar nationals, except three men. They were ordered into prison in 2 cases of human trafficking and entering Bangladesh illegally, Assistant Commissioner (Prosecution) at Chittagong Court Nirmalendu Bikash Chakrabarty said last night. There were 12 children with the 19 women who will have to be in jail with their guardians even though they are not accused, he said. Bangladesh Navy found 625 Bangladesh and Myanmar nationals headed to Malaysia in a Myanmar-flagged trawler detained 120 nautical miles off Saint Martin’s Island of Cox’s Bazar district on Monday morning. Lt Commander Mahbubur Rahman of the Navy warship ‘Durjoy’ filed 2 cases with Patenga Police Station in Chittagong on Tuesday night, one for trespassing and the other for human-trafficking. Eighty-two Myanmar nationals from boat were accused of trespassing and 17 others including three Bangladeshis were booked for trafficking, according to a news agency.