Four fishermen, reportedly abducted by Arakan Army, still missing after a month
On 13 November afternoon, five Ukhiya fishermen went missing after going fishing in the Naf River near the Myanmar border. One of them was later found dead
There has been no significant progress on four missing fishermen, who were reportedly abducted by Myanmar's Arakan Army a month ago from Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya.
Government officials said authorities concerned are working on the matter as family members of the missing men await their return with concerns.
"The higher authorities have been informed about the fishermen. We are working on the matter," said Ukhiya acting upazila nirbahi officer Zareen Tasmin, who is also an assistant land commissioner.
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On 13 November afternoon, five Ukhiya fishermen went missing after going fishing in Naf River near the Myanmar border. According to their family members, they were supposed to return the next morning, but instead, news spread that they had been abducted by the Arakan Army.
Later on 16 November morning, locals found the body of one of the missing fishermen. He was identified as Saiyedul Bashar, son of the late Md Hossain of the Palongkhali union.
The whereabouts of the other four remain unknown to this day. They are Purba Farirbill area residents Md Yusuf, son of Monjur Alam; Lutfur Rahman, son of Noor Mohammad; Saiful Islam, son of Ziabul Huq; and Yusul Jalal, son of Md Abdullah.
Speaking to The Business Standard today (13 December), Yusuf's father Monjur Alam said, "Even after a month, no information is available [about Yusuf's whereabouts]. The administration has not informed us of anything either. My family members are spending time crying and wondering if he is alive or dead."
Echoing Monjur's concerns, Saiful's father Ziabul said, "Rumours have spread that the Arakan Army has killed all of them. The body of one has been found. Is the rumour true? Otherwise, why can't they be found?"
Speaking on the matter, Palongkhali Chairman Gofur Uddin Chowdhury said, "We are maintaining regular contact with the law enforcement agencies to bring back the four fishermen. But no specific information is available as of now.
"It is difficult to say what happened to them. It is important to take the matter seriously and contact the Arakan Army."
