14 more Bangladeshi fishermen abducted, 2 trawlers seized by Arakan Army off Teknaf

The Arakan Army allegedly abducted 14 Bangladeshi fishermen along with two trawlers from Teknaf's Naikhongchhari, while they were returning from fishing in the Bay of Bengal this afternoon (24 August). 

Confirming the incident, Sajed Ahmed, director of the Teknaf Kayukkhali Boat Owners' Association, said, "Due to adverse weather, some of our fishing trawlers were returning to the harbour when Arakan Army members seized two of our trawlers and abducted 14 fishermen.

"The owners of the trawlers have been identified as Farid Alam of Teknaf's Dailpara and Syed Alam of Naityangpara."

Earlier, yesterday afternoon, the Arakan Army allegedly seized another boat along with 12 fishermen in the Naikhongchhari area.

Previously, on 12 August, five fishermen and a trawler were captured, and on 5 August, two fishermen, along with a fishing net and a boat, were taken. 

Since December last year, the Arakan Army has reportedly captured 237 Bangladeshi fishermen from various points along the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal. Of these, 189 fishermen and 27 trawlers/boats have been returned through the efforts of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in several phases.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, "We are receiving reports that 14 fishermen along with two trawlers have been seized. We are investigating the matter. Administration is already working on previous incidents of capture."