Arakan Army Abducts 13 Bangladeshi Fishermen Along with Three Boats

The Arakan Army has abducted 13 Bangladeshi fishermen along with three boats from the Naf River adjacent to Shahpari Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

The men were fishing in the Naikkhyongdia area near Gholarchar this morning (28 March) when several Arakan Army speedboats chased them and held them at gunpoint, according to Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward No. 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad, who quoted other fishermen.

The abducted fishermen are:

• Mostafizur Rahman
• Farid Hossain
• Rabiul Hasan
• Kalam
• Hossain Ahmad
• Mir Kashem Ali
• Giyas Uddin
• Salauddin
• Mohiuddin
• Mola Kalu Mia
• Abu Taher
• Abdul Khalek
• Jaber Mia

They are residents of Majher Para and Dangor Para of Shahpari Island in Teknaf Upazila, confirmed Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Inamul Hafiz Nadim.

“The matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness, and necessary measures will be taken in consultation with the relevant security forces,” the UNO said.

Mannan, the UP member, said such incidents have made fishing in the Naf almost impossible.

Abdul Gafur, president of a local fishermen’s association, said the boats left for the sea around 4:00 a.m., and the abduction happened three hours later.

The matter has already been reported to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the local administration.

According to fishermen’s associations in Teknaf and the BGB, the Arakan Army has abducted more than 400 Bangladeshi fishermen over the past year and a half on allegations of crossing the border. Of them, approximately 250 have been brought back, including 73 on 16 February.