Arakan Army forcibly takes 12 additional Bangladeshi fishermen near the Naf River
In a concerning turn of events, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered 189 fishermen and 27 trawlers in multiple operations. However, the focus remains on the 12 Bangladeshi fishermen who were abducted near Naikkhongdia, as they returned from the Bay of Bengal.
The Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, learned about the abduction through local coastguard and residents. The fishermen abducted are: Md. Ali Ahmed (39), Md. Amin (34), Fazal Karim (52), Kefayet Ullah (40), Saiful Islam (23), Saddam Hossain (40), Md Rasel (23), Md Sowaib (22), Arif Ullah (35), Md. Mostak (35), Nurul Amin (45), and Md Arfan (23). All are residents of Shahporir Dwip.
The trawler involved in this incident belongs to Md Osman, son of Sultan Ahmed from Shahporir Dwip. It was reportedly abducted by the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group from Myanmar.
On 12 August, five fishermen were taken from the Naikkhongdia area of the Bay of Bengal, and on 5 August, two others, along with a boat, were abducted from near Nazirpara in Teknaf Sadar Union. Seven more fishermen, abducted in two separate incidents, remain in Arakan Army custody.
Since December last year, the Arakan Army has reportedly abducted 223 Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal. The Arakan Army members are alleged to have chased the fishermen and taken them at gunpoint.
Efforts are underway to contact the Arakan Army regarding the abduction, but they have not yet made any official statement. Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, commander of Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, has been informed about the incident, but families have not yet formally notified authorities.
Attempts to reach the Coast Guard Teknaf Station commander for comment were unsuccessful. Gafur Alam, president of the Shahporir Dwip Jetty Trawler Owners Association, alleged the incident and provided details.
Authorities have been informed and necessary measures are being taken. The commander of the Arakan Army allegedly involved in the abduction is Major General Twan Mrat Naing. The Arakan Army allegedly abducted a fishing trawler named FB Osman from the Naf River in Teknaf on Saturday at approximately 1:30pm.
As the situation continues to unfold, prayers and concerns for the safety and swift return of the abducted fishermen are growing.
Read also:
- visionary women of WearCheck spearheading technological advancements and catalyzing transformations
- Recognition of Exceptional Patient Care: Top Staff Honored by Medical Center Board
- A continuous command instructing an entity to halts all actions, repeated numerous times.
- Oxidative Stress in Sperm Abnormalities: Impact of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) on Sperm Harm
