Cox’s Bazar Correspondent: Myanmar’s separatist organization Arakan Army has handed over five Bangladeshi fishermen who were captured from Shahpari Island estuary in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, to BGB.
The BGB brought the fishermen to Jaliapara Jetty Ghat of Teknaf Municipality on Wednesday (October 9) around 1:30 PM. Teknaf 2 BGB captain Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed confirmed the matter.
Earlier, the Arkan Army captured fishermen from Shahpari Island estuary in Teknaf last Monday. The matter was announced yesterday, Tuesday.
The returned fishermen are the sons of Abdur Rahim of Shahpari Island, Jaliapara. Alam (22), son of Abdul Majid. Russell Mia (23), Md. Saiful Mia (17), son of Rafiqul Islam Borhan Uddin (19), and son of Chakria Khorshed Alam. Rashed (24).
Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed said five Bangladeshi fishermen who went fishing in the Naf River mistakenly crossed the zero line of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and entered the Kaing Chong area of Myanmar’s territorial waters. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s separatist armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, detained Bangladeshi fishermen along with trawlers for illegal entry. The fishermen were later brought back and handed over to their families through effective communication with the Arakan Army.
Fishing in the Naf River has been banned since the 2017 Rohingya infiltration incident. Still, Bangladeshi fishermen go fishing in the Naf river, avoiding the eyes of the law enforcement agencies. The BGB official also said that everyone has been requested by the BGB to be careful in this regard.
