Dhaka, Feb 20 (V7N) –The Arakan Army (AA), an armed rebel group from Myanmar, has once again reportedly abducted 19 fishermen along with four fishing boats from the Naf river in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf.
The incidents occurred on Thursday morning and afternoon near the Shah Porir Dwip’s Gholarchar and Naikkhongdia areas of the river.
Previously, on February 10, the Arakan Army had abducted six Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf river estuary, who are yet to be released.
Confirming the latest incidents, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said that four fishing trawlers and 19 fishermen were abducted on their way back from the sea between Thursday morning and afternoon.
He said: "We have received reports from various sources about the abduction of four trawlers and 19 fishermen. Efforts are underway to bring them back in coordination with the BGB."
“Among the seized trawlers, two belonged to Teknaf’s Kayukkhali Ghat, while the other two were from Shah Porir Dwip Ghat,” he added.
Abdul Jalil, president of the Teknaf Kayukkhali Boat Owners’ Association, said: “On their way back to Teknaf, the Arakan Army seized two of our fishing trawlers along with nine fishermen.”
He added: “The six fishermen abducted earlier have not been released either, causing panic among the fishing community. We urge the government to intervene.”
Additionally, Abdur Gafur, general secretary of Majhpara Boat Terminal, reported that 10 more fishermen were taken along with two boats from Shah Porir Dwip.
He said: “The boats, owned by Md Kalaiya and Jafar Alam, were fishing in the Naf River when Arakan Army members chased and captured them. This has left their families in fear.”
A senior Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) official, requesting anonymity, said: “We have received reports of fishermen being taken along with their boats from the Naf River. We are investigating the reasons behind the incident and making efforts to bring them back quickly.”
Local fish trader Tarek Ur Rahman expressed concern over the repeated abductions, saying: “This keeps happening, and we are extremely worried. If the issue is not resolved, fishermen will stop going to sea, leading to further distress.”
Similar incidents have occurred before. On October 6 last year, 58 fishermen from Teknaf’s Shah Porir Dwip Jetty set out to sea in six fishing trawlers.
On October 9, Myanmar’s navy abducted them, firing at a Bangladeshi trawler, injuring three fishermen and killing one on the spot. While the remaining fishermen were later returned, Bangladesh strongly protested the incident.
Most recently, on October 15, the BGB brought back 16 Bangladeshi fishermen who had been held by the Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
END/MSS/AJ
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