Members of the Myanmar-based armed group Arakan Army have reportedly detained 13 fishermen along with three boats from the Naikkhangdia area of the Naf River near Shahparir Dwip in Teknaf upazila.
The detained fishermen include Mostafizur Rahman (40), Farid Hossain (30), Robiul Hasan (17), Kalam (30), Hossain Ahmad (38), Mir Kashem Ali (40), Gias Uddin, Salauddin (18), Mohiuddin (22), Mola Kalu Mia (55), Abu Taher (40), Abdul Khalek and Jaber Mia (24). All of them are residents of the villages of Middle Para and Danggar Para on Shahparir Dwip.
Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward No. 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad, said the fishermen were detained around 7:00 am on Saturday while fishing in the Naikkhangdia area, adjacent to Gholarchar on Shahparir Dwip.
He added that the Arakan Army has been repeatedly detaining Bangladeshi fishermen in the Naf River and nearby sea areas, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue fishing. He warned that if such incidents continue, they will severely affect fishermen and boat owners, and urged authorities to take action with government support.
Abdul Gafur, president of the Shahparir Dwip West Para Fishermen’s Association, said several engine-powered boats had gone out to fish near the river estuary around 4:00 am. Around 7:00 am, a group of armed individuals in speedboats chased and detained three boats along with 13 fishermen at gunpoint. He added that the authorities had informed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local authorities.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Inamul Hafiz Nadim said no written complaint had yet been received from the boat owners or the families of the fishermen. He added that law enforcement agencies are working to bring the detained fishermen back.
According to sources from BGB and local fishing associations, over the past one and a half years, at least 400 fishermen have reportedly been detained by the Arakan Army on allegations of crossing the border. Of them, around 250 have been returned.
In the most recent case, 73 fishermen were returned on February 16. BGB efforts have helped repatriate 189 fishermen and 27 boats in several phases, while 32 boats and 172 fishermen are still reportedly held in Rakhine State prisons, fishermen said.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
File Photo
