Twelve fishermen, along with an engine-powered fishing trawler, were captured by the Arakan Army while returning from fishing in the Bay of Bengal near Naikhongdia, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The trawler reportedly belongs to local fisherman Sultan Maji from the Shahparir Dwip Dailpara area of Sabrang Union.
The incident occurred on Saturday (August 23) around noon, approximately six kilometers southeast of the Shahparir Dwip BOP area under Teknaf Battalion-2 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), within Myanmar’s territorial waters.
Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Teknaf, confirmed the incident to Cox’s Bazar Life, stating that the authorities have been informed and all relevant parties are aware of the situation.
The detained fishermen are residents of different parts of Shahparir Dwip, including Md. Ali Ahmad (39), Md. Amin (34), Fazal Karim (52), Kefaet Ullah (40), Saiful Islam (23), Saddam Hossain (40), Md. Rasel (23), Md. Sowaib (22), Arif Ullah (35), Md. Mostak (35), Nurul Amin (45), and one fisherman from Balukhali.
Abdul Gafur, president of the Shahparir Dwip Jetighat Boat Owners’ Association, said the fishermen reported that two speedboats of the Arakan Army intercepted their trawler as they were returning from fishing through Myanmar’s waters south of Shahparir Dwip. The trawler belongs to Sultan Maji of Dailpara, Shahparir Dwip.
This is not an isolated incident. On August 5, two fishermen were taken from Nazirpara, Naf River, and on August 12, five more were captured. Over the past month, a total of 19 fishermen have been taken by the Arakan Army while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, creating widespread fear and anxiety among coastal fishing communities.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
