Arakan Army detains 13 fishermen with 3 boats from Naf estuary
The fishermen were detained while fishing around 7am this morning (28 March), said Abdul Mannan, member of Ward No 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad in Teknaf.
Members of Myanmar's armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, have detained 13 fishermen along with three boats from the Naikhongdia area near the Naf River-Bay of Bengal estuary in Teknaf.
The fishermen were detained while fishing around 7am this morning (28 March), said Abdul Mannan, member of Ward No 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad in Teknaf.
All of them are from Majher Para and Dangar Para villages in Shah Porir Dwip.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Abdul Gafur, president of the Shah Porir Dwip West Para Fishermen's Association, said several engine-run boats left the quay at 4am to fish in the Naf estuary.
Around 7am, the Arakan Army chased several boats in speedboats and later took away three boats and 13 fishermen at gunpoint, he said.
Abdul Mannan said fishing in the Naf River and the sea has become nearly impossible because of the Arakan Army. If this continues, fishing boat owners and fishermen will face severe hardship, he added, calling for government support to stop such incidents.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Enamul Hafiz Nadim said the administration has been informed locally and is gathering details. Discussions are being held with the BGB and Coast Guard over the matter.
However, no responsible official from the BGB or Coast Guard agreed to comment.
According to the fishermen's association, at least 400 fishermen have been detained over the past one and a half years on allegations of crossing the border. Of them, around 250 have been brought back.
Most recently, 73 fishermen returned on 16 February. Another 32 trawlers and 172 fishermen remain in Arakan Army custody.
