Five fishermen have allegedly been abducted by members of Arakan Army of Myanmar while fishing in the Naf River near Teknaf, Cox's Bazar.
The incident occurred in the Nayapara area of the Naf River on Monday afternoon .
However, the fishermen had not been returned as of 8pm on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, the commander of BGB-2 in Teknaf, on Tuesday confirmed that efforts are being made by the BGB to contact Myanmar authorities to secure the return of the fishermen.
The five Bangladeshi citizens are: Mohammad Alam, 22, son of Abdur Rahim; Mohammad Russell Mia, 23, son of Abdul Majid; Mohammad Saiful Mia, 17; Mohammad Borhan Uddin, 19, son of Mofiqul Islam, residents of Jaliapara in Shapuree Dwip, Teknaf; and Mohammad Rashed, 24, son of Khorshed Alam from Chakaria.
Abdus Salam, a member of the ward no 9 of the Subrang Union Parishad, stated: “Five fishermen from the area were taken by Myanmar nationals while they were fishing in the Naf River. It is unclear who exactly took them, but given the ongoing conflict in the country, it is suspected that members of the Arakan Army are involved.”
According to local fishermen, three boats owned by Abdul Majid from Jaliapara set out to fish in the Naf River on Tuesday morning.
At that time, some armed individuals from Myanmar chased the fishermen. While two boats managed to escape, five fishermen from Majid's boat were captured, they said.
Alam's mother, Hamida Khatun, said: “My son went fishing in the Naf River with other fishermen. They were chased, and while the others managed to escape, my son and four others were taken by members of the Arakan Army. I have not received any news about my son yet.”
Abdul Gani, the president of the Jaliapara Small Fishermen's Cooperative in Shapuree Dwip, stated that although there is a ban on fishing in the Naf River, some people catch fish with hooks to meet their family's needs while evading the local administration's watch. On Monday, five fishermen were taken by members of the Arakan Army (AA), an armed group from Myanmar.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury confirmed that he has received reports about the fishermen's abduction.
In Rakhine, Myanmar, the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military junta has led to most areas being under the control of the Arakan Army. The entire Maungdaw township across Teknaf is now controlled by the Arakan Army.
