Nineteen fishermen from Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, remain hostage by Myanmar’s armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, two days after being abducted along with four fishing trawlers from the Naf River. Their families are deeply worried, while authorities work to secure their release.
According to Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, the fishermen were taken on Thursday (February 20) while returning from a fishing trip. The local administration is collaborating with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to recover them. Of the four seized trawlers, two belong to Kayukkhali Ghat and two to Shah Porir Dwip Ghat.
Authorities Pushing for Release
Abdul Jalil, president of the Teknaf Kayukkhali Boat Owners’ Association, reported that nine fishermen from Kayukkhali Ghat were abducted while returning home. Similarly, Abdur Gafur, general secretary of the Shah Porir Dwip Majarpara Boat Terminal, confirmed that ten fishermen from their area were also taken and have not returned.
Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, commander of BGB-2 Battalion in Teknaf, stated that communication is ongoing with Myanmar authorities, and efforts are being made to bring the fishermen home soon.
Ongoing Threats in the Region
This is not the first such incident. On February 10, four Bangladeshi fishermen—Mohammad Hasan (30), Abdu Rokim (20), Md. Jaber (26), and Mohammad Hasan (16) from Shah Porir Dwip—were kidnapped at gunpoint while fishing in the Naf River estuary. They remain missing after 12 days.
A more severe incident occurred on October 6 last year when 58 fishermen aboard six trawlers were abducted by Myanmar's navy while fishing in deep waters. During the abduction, a Myanmar naval speedboat fired at a Bangladeshi trawler, injuring three fishermen and killing one on the spot. The captives were later returned following strong protests from Bangladesh.
Most recently, on October 15, the BGB successfully rescued and repatriated 16 Bangladeshi fishermen who had been held hostage by the Arakan Army in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
