21 fishermen, four trawlers allegedly abducted by Arakan Army in Teknaf

At least 21 Bangladeshi fishermen and four fishing trawlers have allegedly been abducted by members of Myanmar's Arakan Army from the Bay of Bengal near Saint Martin's Island today (8 April), according to the local fishing trawler owners' association.

However, Lieutenant Commander Salauddin Rashid Tanvir of the Coast Guard Teknaf station confirmed the abduction of two trawlers carrying 11 fishermen.

"Some more information is also being received from outside this," he said, adding that further details were not yet available.

Abul Kalam, general secretary of the Kayukkhalia Fishing Trawler Owners Samity in Teknaf, said that around 11:30am, armed members of the Arakan Army took four trawlers and their crews hostage at gunpoint from Bangladesh's territorial waters in the Maulavirshil area, near Teknaf's Saint Martin's Island.

He said the rebel group arrived in a speedboat and intercepted the fishing trawlers while they were at work.

"One of the trawlers belongs to me, and another to Mohammad Shaon. There are 11 fishermen on these two. Besides, two more fishing trawlers have been abducted from the same area," he added.

Adding that the identities of the other two trawler owners and the exact number of fishermen on board have not yet been confirmed, Kalam said that there may be 10 to 12 fishermen on those vessels.

He said, "The Arakan Army is committing such incidents every few days. Panic is spreading among trawler owners, fish traders, and fishermen. We are seeking the government's cooperation to resolve this."

Abdul Mannan, a union parishad member of Ward 7 in Sabrang union, said, "I have heard about the abduction of four trawlers from the sea again. Members of the Arakan Army also chased several trawlers from my area that went fishing in the sea."

Lieutenant Colonel Md Ashiqur Rahman, commander of the Teknaf-2 Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said inquiries are underway regarding the abduction.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin stated, "I have heard about the abduction of fishing trawlers along with fishermen. Discussions will be held with law enforcement agencies regarding this incident, and efforts will be made to bring them back."