Arakan Army abducts 40 Bangladeshi fishermen in 20 days
HNILA CORRESPONDENT, COX’S BAZAR
The Myanmar-based armed group Arakan Army has abducted seven more Bangladeshi fishermen along with their trawler from the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
With this incident, a total of 40 fishermen have been taken in the past 20 days, according to local authorities.
Abul Kalam, General Secretary of the Trawler Owners’ Association at Kayukkhalia Ghat in Teknaf municipality, said the latest abduction occurred on Monday at around 11:30 am. The fishermen were returning from the Bay of Bengal when they were seized at Naikkhyangdia, near Shahpari Island.
He said the trawler was owned by Umar Siddique, son of Abdul Monaf from Chowdhuripara in Teknaf municipality, and had seven crew members on board.
Quoting skipper Ebadullah, Kalam said the trawler was chased by Arakan Army members in speedboats near the confluence of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal, southeast of Shahpari Island. The fishermen were taken at gunpoint, he said.
“The skipper managed to inform us of the chase and abduction by mobile phone,” Kalam explained. “Afterwards, the trawler and crew were taken towards Myanmar’s Fatongja canal.”
The abduction is the latest in a series of incidents. On Sunday, 14 fishermen from two trawlers were seized. A day earlier, 12 fishermen from another trawler were taken. On 12 August, five fishermen and their trawler were abducted, and on 5 August, two fishermen along with their boat and net were seized.
According to local administration figures, the Arakan Army has abducted 244 Bangladeshi fishermen from various points in the Naf River and Bay of Bengal since December last year. Of these, many were later released following efforts by Bangladeshi authorities.
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the incidents. “In recent days, Arakan Army members have been abducting Bangladeshi fishermen and their trawlers at gunpoint while returning from the Bay of Bengal,” he said.
“We have informed higher authorities and requested law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance in the area,” he added.
