Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, Apr 16 (V7N)– The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) announced today the successful return of 55 fishermen who had been abducted at various times from the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal by the Arakan Army (AA), an insurgent group operating in Myanmar's Rakhine State.  

"The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has successfully brought back 55 fishermen who were abducted by the Arakan Army (AA) from the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal at different times," reported Faridul Alam, Staff Correspondent.  

The handover of the fishermen took place at approximately 2:30 PM local time today (April 17th) via the transit jetty on the Naf River at Chowdhury Para in Teknaf municipality. The commanding officer of BGB's Teknaf-2 battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Md Ashiqur Rahman, confirmed the successful repatriation.  

"The return took place today (17 April) around 2:30pm through the transit jetty on the Naf River at Chowdhury Para in Teknaf municipality, confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Md Ashiqur Rahman, commanding officer of BGB's Teknaf-2 battalion," the report stated.  

Among the 55 individuals who have returned, 13 are identified as Bangladeshi nationals. The remaining 42 are residents of various Rohingya refugee camps situated in Cox's Bazar, near the border with Myanmar.

"Among the returnees, 13 are Bangladeshi nationals, while the remaining 42 are residents of various Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar," Alam detailed.  

Authorities are currently in the process of facilitating the return of the Bangladeshi fishermen to their families. The Rohingya individuals will be returned to their respective camps under the supervision of the police.

"The process of handing over the Bangladeshi nationals to their families and returning the Rohingyas to their respective camps under police supervision is currently underway," the report concluded.

END/FA/RH/