Free From Indian Prison, 28 Acehnese Fishermen Are Quarantined For 5 Days In Jakarta

JAKARTA - A total of 28 fishermen from Aceh were quarantined for 5 days in Jakarta before being sent back to Aceh. They were previously detained for 11 months by Indian authorities following allegations of crossing national borders.

Head of the Aceh Government Liaison Agency (BPBA) Almuniza Kamal, reported by Antara, Sunday, January 31, said that 28 fishermen were staying at the Mercure Gatot Subroto hotel to undergo the quarantine process.

At the same time, a swab examination is carried out to find out whether or not you have contracted COVID.

"They will be quarantined for 5 days. After that, they will be sent back to Aceh when they are confirmed to be free from COVID-19," Almuniza explained when contacted.

The Aceh government, he continued, would like to thank all those who have helped the return of 28 Acehnese fishermen, especially to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in India, as well as the RI's PSDKP-KKP who continue to oversee and diplomacy in releasing these fishermen.

Almuniza said, throughout 2020 to date, there were 160 Acehnese fishermen who violated the maritime territories of other countries. Thus, they must obtain detention witnesses by local authorities, such as in Myanmar, Thailand and India.

"But all the fishermen were immediately released because the Aceh government did not remain silent. It's just that it needs in-depth education related to boundaries to the fishermen so that this case does not happen again," said Almuniza.

The Acehnese fishermen were arrested at a distance of 55 nautical miles from the mainland of the island of Nicobar by the Indian Coast guard police Durgabai Deshmukh, March 3, 2020, then using the KM BST 45 ship.

After serving 11 months in prison, they were then released by the Andaman court on January 16, 2021 after being advocated by the Indonesian Embassy together with the Aceh Government and PSDKP-KKP RI.

"However, the cooperation of various parties and the rapid response of the Aceh government made the 28 fishermen quickly released. Of course this is all collective work that must be maintained," said Almuniza.