Three Bangladeshi fishermen were taken away by members of Myanmar’s Arakan Army (AA) after they allegedly entered Bangladesh’s territorial waters near the Naf River estuary in Teknaf on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 11:30am in the Naikhongdia area, near the Naf River-Bay of Bengal confluence, according to local sources.
The fishermen were identified as Jasim Uddin, 40, son of Ledu Mia; Mohammad Ismail, 45, son of Momtaz Mia; and Harun, 37, son of Mohammad Ayub Ali.
They are from Jaliapara in Shah Porir Dwip under Sabrang union.
Abdul Gani, president of the Shah Porir Dwip Jaliapara fishing boat committee, said the three had gone fishing in the Naf River when Arakan Army members intercepted them and took them away.
“Earlier, 20 to 25 fishermen were taken away from the area,” he said.
Fishing in the Naf River and the adjoining sea has become increasingly risky, Gani said, adding that local fishermen remain fearful of the Arakan Army.
He alleged that Arakan Army members sometimes approach fishing boats in speedboats and take fishermen away at gunpoint.
Sabrang Union Parishad acting chairman Abdul Mannan confirmed the incident, saying the authorities concerned had been informed about the three fishermen in an effort to secure their release.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury said Arakan Army members entered Bangladesh’s territorial waters and chased several fishermen.
“Some fishermen jumped from their boats and tried to swim to safety. Two managed to escape with their boats, while three were taken away by the Arakan Army,” he said.
The local administration has contacted Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) over the incident, and necessary steps will be taken to bring the fishermen back, the UNO said.
Local fishermen said they have been living in fear while fishing along the Naf River and the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border since fighting intensified in Myanmar’s Rakhine region.
They said repeated incidents of fishermen being detained or taken away have increased anxiety among fishing communities in the area.
