Arakan Army abducts 13 fishermen from Teknaf

District Representative

Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army (AA) has abducted 13 fishermen, including two Bangladeshi trawlers, who were fishing in the Bay of Bengal in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. They were abducted from the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal estuary on Tuesday. The incident has left the families of the innocent fishermen worried.

Meanwhile, the government has remained silent despite the incidents of Bangladeshi fishermen being abducted one after another. Locals have expressed anger over the incident. They have expressed anger and condemnation of the government’s indifference to the independent sovereignty of Bangladesh.

It is learnt that the two trawlers that were seized are from Mistripara Naughat, Shahparir Island and Khayakkhali, Teknaf. The BGB said that in the last 10 months, the Arakan Army has abducted at least 350 fishermen from the Naf River and adjacent areas of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Although approximately 200 of them have been brought back at different times with the help of the BGB, approximately 150 fishermen are still detained. No one knows what happened to them. Therefore, these families are crying.

Teknaf Municipality Kayukkhalia Ghat Trawler Owners Association President Sajeed Ahmed said, “Fishermen were returning to Teknaf after catching fish in the deep sea. A group of Arakan Army took 13 fishermen along with two trawlers from the Bay of Bengal estuary hostage at gunpoint and took them to a canal in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar. One was a trawler from Shahparir Island, the other from Amar Ghat. So far, the 13 fishermen have not been found. There is panic in the fishing villages regarding the matter.”

Trawler owner Abdul Jalil said, “The Arakan Army has taken away seven fishermen and their trawler, including a fisherman, from the Nafer estuary on their way back to the ghat in Teknaf after fishing in the morning. There is extreme panic among the fishermen regarding this. Many are afraid to go to sea. This incident is happening every day and the families of the fishermen are being affected. There is also a fear of losing their lives.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Imamul Hafiz Nadim said, “There have been reports of 13 fishermen being taken away along with two trawlers. The matter is being investigated. We are contacting them and taking action.”