Arakan Army allegedly abducts 5 fishermen in Teknaf

The Myanmar armed group Arakan Army (AA) has been accused of kidnapping five fishermen along with a trawler that was going to fish in the Bay of Bengal from the Teknaf coast of Cox's Bazar.

The incident took place in the sea area adjacent to the torn island of Teknaf on Sunday morning (June 28). Abul Kalam, general secretary of the Kayukkhali Ghat Boat Owners' Association of Teknaf Municipality, confirmed the truth of the incident on Monday afternoon (June 29).

Abul Kalam, general secretary of the Kayukkhali Ghat Boat Owners' Association of Teknaf Municipality, confirmed the truth in the afternoon.

The five abducted are Salam Nur, 31, Md. Ayub, 37, Md. Azizullah, 30, Syed Hossain, 25, and Md. Ayub, 24. Initially, it was learned that they were all residents of the Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhia-Teknaf.

According to local fishermen, a fishing trawler owned by Ali Ahmed, a resident of Alir Dayil village in Sabrang Union, went into the sea from Kayukkhali Ghat in Teknaf on Sunday morning. Later, when the trawler reached the area adjacent to the torn island, members of the Arakan Army chased it and detained it. Then, five fishermen along with the trawler were taken away. At that time, several other trawlers in the vicinity quickly left the area and moved safely.

Abul Kalam, general secretary of the Kayukkhali Ghat Boat Owners' Association, said that five fishermen along with a trawler that was going to the sea for fishing were taken away. After learning about the matter, we informed the concerned authorities. Panic has spread in the fishing villages on the coast due to the capture of fishermen again.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury confirmed the truth and said that five fishermen along with the trawler have been captured. However, I heard that most of them are Rohingya.

After the incident, there has been concern among coastal fishermen. Local fishermen have demanded quick action from the administration to rescue the kidnapped fishermen.