7 Bangladeshi fishermen 'abducted by Arakan Army' off Saint Martin's coast

Seven Bangladeshi fishermen have been abducted along with their fishing trawler, allegedly by members of the Arakan Army from the Saint Martin's Island's southern waters in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf.

The incident took place around 2pm yesterday (26 August) while the fishermen were casting nets near an area locally known as Seeta, according to Sajed Ahmad, president of the Teknaf Kayukkhali Ghat Trawler Owners' Association.

He said trawler master Dil Mohammad managed to contact him over the phone, informing him that armed members of the Arakan Army entered Bangladesh's maritime territory in speedboats, seized the fishing trawler, and took seven fishermen towards Myanmar.

The identities of the abducted fishermen could not be confirmed immediately.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ahsan Uddin said he learned about the incident, adding that almost every day, Arakan Army members intercept Bangladeshi fishermen on their way back from sea and take them hostage at gunpoint.

"According to the trawler owners' association, seven trawlers with 51 fishermen have been abducted in the past four days alone. Law enforcement agencies are in communication and necessary measures are being taken," he said.

The trawler owner, Nurul Kayes, urged government and law enforcement intervention to ensure the safe return of the fishermen and their vessel.

Since December last year, the Arakan Army has reportedly abducted 262 Bangladeshi fishermen from different points of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal.

Of them, 189 fishermen and 27 trawlers have so far been rescued and returned through the efforts of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).