Myanmar's Arakan Army captures 56 Bangladeshi fishermen

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The Arakan Army, Myanmar's anti-government armed group in Rakhine State, apprehended 56 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized six fishing boats while they were fishing in the Bay of Bengal off Saint Martin's Island in southeastern Teknaf town, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Saint Martin's Island is located in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, at the southernmost point in Bangladesh.

"Fifty-six fishermen were apprehended by the Arakan Army on Wednesday while fishing along Myanmar's border in the bay," SK Ahsan Uddin, Upazila (town) chief government official, told Anadolu, citing boat owners.

He added that the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard officials are working to ensure their safe return.

Fishermen occasionally cross the water border to fish, prompting authorities in Myanmar to react. The official said they have always asked fishermen not to travel near the Bay's water border.

Regular reports of fishermen being kidnapped and detained have increased amid escalating conflicts between Myanmar's junta and rebels, including the Arakan Army, which controls the country's Rakhine border with Bangladesh.

In late February, the Bangladesh border force rescued 29 fishermen who had been apprehended by the Arakan Army on the transboundary Naf River in Teknaf. Fifteen of the fishermen were Bangladeshi, while 14 were Rohingya.

Trawler Owners Association President Bashir Ahmed told local media that they learned about the incident from fishermen who returned from the sea. Then, we informed Bangladesh's border forces.