Bangladeshi Fishermen Among 400 Captured Near Saint Martin by Arakan Army

Thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen have once again been detained by Myanmar’s armed group, the Arakan Army, while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. On Tuesday (23 December), the fishermen were captured in two separate incidents from the sea area near St. Martin’s Island, adjacent to Mongdu Township in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, along with two fishing boats.

According to local fishermen and representatives, in the morning of Tuesday, the fishermen were engaged in fishing in the southwest of St. Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal. At that time, armed members of the Arakan Army seized six fishermen along with an engine-powered boat. The catch and fishing nets on the boat were also confiscated. Later in the afternoon, on their way back after fishing, another seven fishermen along with another engine-powered boat were similarly captured.

Among the arrested fishermen, six have been identified as: Nur Mohammad (60), Md. Hamid Hossain (45), Jasim Uddin (18), Md. Harun Mia (40), Md. Habibullah (60) from Shamlapur, and his son Md. Hasem (15), all residents of St. Martin’s Island. The identities of the remaining seven are not yet known.

Foyezul Islam, Chairman of St. Martin Union Parishad, confirmed the arrests through local sources. He said the Arakan Army seized two boats and took a total of 13 fishermen.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Inamul Hafiz Nadim stated that the matter has been reported to the relevant authorities. Efforts are underway through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard to bring the arrested fishermen back quickly.

Abdul Gani, President of the Shahpori Island Boat Owners Association, said the boats were returning to shore after fishing. The Arakan Army claimed that the Bangladeshi fishermen had entered their controlled waters.

According to the BGB, the Arakan Army has arrested nearly 400 Bangladeshi fishermen so far this year in areas near the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal. Such frequent incidents have created extreme anxiety and concern among fishermen’s families.