The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 122 fishermen along with 19 fishing trawlers for illegally crossing into Myanmar waters in violation of maritime law.
The matter was confirmed on Friday (29 August) afternoon by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque.
He stated, “Several Bangladeshi fishing boats were found crossing the zero line of the Bangladesh–Myanmar maritime boundary near Shah Porir Dwip under Teknaf’s Sabrang Union, attempting to enter Myanmar illegally. Based on this information, the Coast Guard outpost at Shah Porir Dwip conducted a special operation.”
According to him, during the operation—conducted Friday morning through noon—fishermen aboard 19 trawlers were detained from the Naf River estuary near Myanmar’s Naikhyangdia area up to Jaliapara.
Of those detained, 29 are Bangladeshi nationals and 93 are Rohingya fishermen.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque further said, “Despite restrictions, the tendency of Bangladeshi fishing boats to intrude into Myanmar waters has recently increased. As a result, the Arakan Army has been detaining Bangladeshi fishermen almost daily.”
He added that legal procedures are underway regarding the detainees and seized trawlers, while emphasizing that the Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue such operations to ensure the safety of fishermen in the future.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
