‘Arakan Army’ abducts 19 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

The Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar, has allegedly abducted 19 Bangladeshi fishermen along with four trawlers from the Naf River in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf.

According to local boat owners, the fishermen were captured on Thursday afternoon from two locations: ten from Gholarchar on Shah Porir Dwip, and nine from Naikhongdia, both situated along the river that serves as a natural boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Abdul Jalil, president of the Teknaf-Kayukkhali Boat Owners Association, said that nine fishermen were captured and two fishing trawlers were seized while returning to Teknaf.

“The six fishermen who were captured earlier have still not been released. There is extreme panic among fishermen and traders alike due to such repeated incidents. We are seeking the government’s intervention to resolve this quickly.”

Shah Porir Dwip Majharpara Boat Ghat General Secretary Abdur Gafur said that the Arakan Army had taken another ten fishermen and two boats from Majharpara Ghat.

He said two fishermen, Md Kalaiya and Zafar Alam, were out in the Naf River when Myanmar’s rebels pursued and captured them.

He said there is now a climate of fear among fishermen and boat owners.

Until now, the names of ten of the abducted fishermen have been confirmed. They include Md Kala Mia, 37; Md Nurul Alam, 39; Abdul Rahman, 19; Md A Kalam Ahmed, 29; Md Laila, 11; Md Kabir Ahmed, 43; Mohammad Yunus, 23; Nurul Islam, 34; Md Lutfar Rahman, 23; and Rahim Ullah, 21.

The identities of the other nine remain unknown.

“Fishermen are being taken by Myanmar all the time,” said Md Tarek Ur Rahman, a fish trader.

“We are very worried. If this continues, no one will dare to go fishing.”

The latest abductions add to a series of escalating incidents along the border.

On Feb 10, four Bangladeshi fishermen were abducted by the Arakan Army and have yet to be released.

Last October, 58 fishermen and six fishing boats were captured at sea by Myanmar’s navy.

One fisherman was shot and killed when the navy opened fire on a Bangladeshi trawler. The captives were later returned.

On Oct 15, 2024, Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, negotiated the release of 16 fishermen from Arakan Army custody.

Government officials have also expressed concern over the recurring crisis.

Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Teknaf Upazila executive officer, or UNO, said he was aware of the latest abductions and that efforts were underway to secure the fishermen’s return.

“I have just heard about the incident. We will discuss the matter with the BGB and make effort to bring them back as soon as possible.”