12 fishermen allegedly abducted by Arakan Army

Twelve fishermen were kidnapped along with their boat from Naiksyangdia area of ​​Teknaf in Cox's Bazar on their way back from the Bay of Bengal. Local residents and trawler owners alleged that Myanmar's armed rebel group Arakan Army (AA) was involved in the kidnapping on Saturday (August 23) afternoon.

Of the abducted fishermen, 11 are--Md. Ali Ahmed, 39, Mohammad Amin, 34, Fazal Karim, 52, Kefayet Ullah, 40, Saiful Islam, 23, Saddam Hossain, 40, Md. Russell, 23, Md. Swaib, 22, Arif Ullah, 35, Mohammad Mostaq, 35, and Nurul Amin, 45. All of them are residents of different villages of Shahparir Island in Teknaf.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin told the media: "We have heard about the kidnapping of 12 fishermen along with their boats. We are all working so that they can be brought back quickly."

Boat owner Soltan Ahmed said that the fishermen had gone fishing. Due to adverse weather conditions, they were caught by Arakan Army members along with their boats while returning to the ghat. He alleged that such incidents are happening all the time. A permanent solution is needed.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said that in the last eight months, the Arakan Army has kidnapped at least 230 fishermen from the Naf River and adjacent areas on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Of these, 151 were kidnapped from January to May this year. About 200 of them have been brought back in various phases with the help of BGB.