Eighteen Bangladeshi fishermen, along with six Rohingyas, have been repatriated from Myanmar after being detained by the Arakan Army (AA), an armed organisation that controls parts of Rakhine State.
A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) delegation received the 24 people from the Arakan Army at the Naf River zero line in Teknaf on Wednesday morning. They were later taken to the Teknaf jetty.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commanding officer of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), confirmed the matter.
According to a BGB press release, several Bangladeshi fishermen inadvertently crossed into Myanmar’s waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal at different times between 2025 and 2026. The Arakan Army subsequently detained them and kept them at various locations under its control or in prisons in Rakhine State.
Against this backdrop, the BGB took initiatives to facilitate the phased repatriation of the detained fishermen on humanitarian grounds, the release said.
As part of the process, 24 people — 18 Bangladeshi fishermen and six members of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN) community — were handed over to the BGB on Wednesday.
Local government representatives and law enforcement agencies are verifying the identities of the repatriated fishermen. They will be handed over to their families once the verification process is completed, the BGB said.
The fishermen’s return has brought relief to their families. The BGB also described the repatriation as a positive humanitarian development.
Efforts are continuing to bring back other Bangladeshi fishermen who remain detained in Myanmar, the border force said.
Lieutenant Colonel Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan said the BGB had always played a responsible role in protecting people’s lives and property while safeguarding the country’s borders.
“The repatriation of the detained fishermen was made possible through the BGB’s professionalism, sincerity and effective coordination in addressing the humanitarian crisis,” he said.
He said the BGB would continue such humanitarian initiatives in the future.
“Alongside safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, the BGB will continue to discharge its responsibilities with utmost dedication, giving the people’s trust and confidence the highest priority and acting in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” he added.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
