14 Bangladeshi fishermen captured by ‘Arakan Army’ return home

Fourteen Bangladeshi fishermen captured from the Naf River estuary in Cox’s Bazar by the Arakan Army insurgent group from Myanmar have returned home after their release.

They arrived at the West Jetty of Shah Porir Dwip in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf in three boats around 10pm on Tuesday, said Lt Col Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commander of the BGB-2 Battalion in Teknaf.

The returned fishermen are Md Mostafizur Rahman, 40, Md Farid Hossain, 30, Md Robiul Hasan, 17, Md Kalam, 30, Md Hossain Ahmed, 38, Md Mir Kashem Ali, 40, Md Gias Uddin, 25, Md Salauddin, 18, Md Mohiuddin, 22, Hossain Ahmed, 38, Kalu Mia, 55, Abu Taher, 40, Abdul Khalek, 40, Md Jaber Mia, 24 and Rahim Ullah, 20.

All belong to the Majher Para and Dangor Para villages.

Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward No. 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad in Teknaf, said that the Arakan Army opened fire on the fishermen and abducted them along with three boats from the Naikhangdia area adjacent to the Naf River in Teknaf on Saturday.

They have been returned three days later. However, he said he was not sure how they were released, or whether they had to pay money or any kind of ransom. He also mentioned that the matter was being investigated.

Although local fishermen allege that they were released after paying food and money to the Arakan Army, the returnee fishermen are reluctant to talk about it.

Mostafizur, one of the fishermen, said that they unintentionally entered Myanmar waters after they drifted on the tide. Members of the Arakan Army then detained them and tortured them in custody. They were released after three days.

Another fisherman, Rahim Ullah, said they were beaten and not provided any food after their capture. Their boatman, Kalu Mia, was seriously injured. However, he said they were relieved to have returned alive.

Rashida Khatun, the mother of another fisherman Mohiuddin, said: “Five members of my family, including my three sons, have returned. What could be more joyful than this?

“We were very worried after they were captured. Now we are free from worries. However, the boys have become very sick, please pray for them.”

Abdul Gafur, president of the Shah Porir Dwip West Para Fishermen’s Association said that fishermen detained by the Arakan Army have alleged physical abuse by their captors. However, this was the first time abductees have been released by the Arakan Army after such a short period of time.

BGB battalion chief Lt Col Hanifur said, “Fourteen fishermen have returned on three boats. They are being questioned on their return.”