Twelve fishermen were reportedly abducted along with their boat from the Naikhongchhari area of Teknaf while returning from the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.
Local residents and trawler owners claim that members of the Arakan Army (AA), a Myanmar-based insurgent group, were behind the abduction.
The victims have been identified as Md Ali Ahmed (39), Mohammad Amin (34), Fazal Karim (52), Kafayet Ullah (40), Saiful Islam (23), Saddam Hossain (40), Md Rasel (23), Md Swaib (22), Arif Ullah (35), Mohammad Mostak (35), and Nurul Amin (45). One more individual’s name remains unconfirmed. All the victims are from various villages on Shahporir Dwip in Teknaf.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the incident, saying, “We have received reports regarding the abduction of 12 fishermen along with their boat. We are taking steps to ensure their safe return.”
Boat owner Sultan Ahmed shared that the fishermen had gone out to sea for fishing, but due to bad weather, they were on their way back when the Arakan Army seized them and their boat. He further added, “Such incidents are becoming more frequent, and there is an urgent need for a permanent solution.”
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has reported that over the past eight months, the Arakan Army has abducted at least 230 fishermen from areas along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, including the Naf River. Of these, 151 were taken between January and May this year. Thanks to BGB efforts, around 200 fishermen have been rescued in several phases.