Myanmar navy shoots two Bangladeshi fishermen on Naf River; one in critical condition
COX’S BAZAR CORRESPONDENT
Two Bangladeshi fishermen have been hospitalised after being shot by the Myanmar Navy on the Naf River, near the Shah Porir Island border area in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The shooting incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, April 21.
The victims have been identified as Mohammad Ismail and Mohammad Faruq, residents of Majherpara on Shah Porir Island.
Mohammad Faruq is reportedly in critical condition and both individuals were transported to Cox’s Bazar General Hospital in the afternoon for medical treatment.
According to local sources, a group of ten fishermen were fishing within Bangladeshi territorial waters when they were fired upon by the Myanmar Navy.
The trawler’s skipper, Mohammad Yusuf, reported that after completing their fishing near Saint Martin, they were returning to Shah Porir Island when a Myanmar Navy ship crossed their path and opened fire without provocation.
Yusuf stated that despite showing the Bangladeshi flag and signaling for the firing to cease, the Myanmar forces continued their assault.
Abdul Mannan, a local council member, corroborated the fishermen’s account, noting that the attack left Mohammad Faruq with multiple gunshot wounds.
Dr. Suraiya Yasmin, a medical officer at the Teknaf Health Complex, confirmed the injuries.
She noted that while Ismail sustained minor injuries and is receiving care in Teknaf, Faruq suffered critical injuries to his hand and leg and was subsequently transferred to Cox’s Bazar General Hospital for further treatment.
Confirming the incident, Md. Osman Gani, the Officer in Charge at Teknaf Police Station, noted that the fishermen were attacked while peacefully fishing in the Naf River.
