The five fishermen detained by Myanmar’s rebel group, the Arakan Army, have been returned after nearly 40 hours.
On October 9, at around 1:30 PM, the Arakan Army handed over the five fishermen to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) following BGB’s mediation.
The returned fishermen are Md Alam (22), Md Russel Mia (23), Md Saiful Mia (17), Md Borhan Uddin (19), and Md. Rashed (24), all from Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf.
Lt. Col. Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, the commander of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), confirmed the incident, saying that on October 7, around 3 PM, the five fishermen from Shah Porir Dwip’s Jaliapara area set out on a trawler to fish in the Naf River.
While fishing, they mistakenly crossed the zero line of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and entered the waters of Myanmar, reaching Kaing Chong.
At this point, the Arakan Army, an armed separatist group, detained the fishermen and seized their trawlers on charges of illegal entry.
Following sustained efforts and effective communication by BGB with the Arakan Army, the five Bangladeshi fishermen were returned today (October 9).
Subsequently, the fishermen were reunited with their families after contacting their relatives.
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
