Bangladeshi fisherman shot by Myanmar’s BGP

DESK REPORT

One Bangladeshi fisherman has been shot by Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) in the Naf River of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar.

The fisherman was identified as Mohammad Kashem, son of late Moni Mia from Naittyang under the district’s Teknaf municipality.

The shooting took place in the river – marking the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar – at Shah Porir Island’s Golarchar on Monday afternoon (Nov 21, 2022), fishermen witnesses said.

Quoting the witnesses, Dil Mohammad, a Teknaf municipal councilor, said local fishermen Jahed Hossain, Md Anwar, Rahmat Ullah and Md Kashem went to fish in the river by boat on Monday morning.

As they were returning after fishing in the river, a team of the BGP infiltrated into the Bangladesh territory of the river and fired at them, he said.

During the firing, fisherman Mohammad Kashem was injured and was rushed to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex. He was then referred to Cox’s Bazar General Hospital, according to Councilor Dil Mohammad.

Teknaf Upazila Health Complex’s Duty Doctor Khane Alam said, “One man was brought to this hospital with injury marks on both of his legs this afternoon.

“He was immediately given primary treatment and then referred to Cox’s Bazar General Hospital for better treatment.”

Teknaf Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Abdul Halim said, “I have heard that one fisherman was shot. We are trying to know further about this incident.”

Bangladesh and Myanmar have an agreement that stipulates that they can arrest but not shoot a suspect from each other’s country.