Bay near Teknaf turns risky for fishermen

Frequent abductions of fishermen by Myanmar's Arakan Army have turned some areas of the Bay of Bengal, particularly off Teknaf upazila and St Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar, into unsafe waters for Bangladeshi fishing communities.

So far, nearly 88 fishermen have been taken away by the Arakan Army since the first week of August, according to local associations and administration.

Families of the victims are concerned about their loved ones' fate.

In the latest, the rebel group kidnapped 40 fishermen from five trawlers on Wednesday afternoon.

Sajid Ahmed, president of Teknaf's Kaukkhali Trawler Owners' Association, said two of the abducted trawlers were owned by members of his association, carrying 13 fishermen. The group has taken away thirty-three people from five trawlers since August 10, he added.

The families of the victims have urged trawler owners to take action to ensure the safe return of their loved ones. "Owners are coming to us, but apart from informing the authorities, we cannot take further steps," Sajid said.

Faizul Islam, acting chairman of St Martin's Union Parishad, said the Arakan Army abducted 18 local fishermen around 10-12 days ago near the Myanmar border from Bangladeshi waters. "We have no updates about their fate. Families are deeply worried for their safety."

Mohammad Hasan, general secretary of Shahparir Dwip Mistripara Ghat Trawler Owners' Association, said one of his trawlers was among the five taken away on Wednesday. "As my boat was behind the others, 18 fishermen managed to escape."

Hasan added that during Myanmar's junta rule, Bangladeshi fishermen never faced such problems. "But since the Arakan Army took control of Rakhine's coastal areas, they have been seizing our trawlers, looting fish, fuel, food, and everything on board. We are living in fear."

There are several trawler owners' associations in Teknaf, Shahparir Dwip, and St Martin's Island.

Meanwhile, Global Arakan Network, a news site affiliated with the Arakan Army, claimed that Bangladeshi fishermen are being detained for crossing into Myanmar waters. The site claimed that 40 fishermen were held in separate operations on Wednesday, and it had earlier announced the capture of three trawlers with 18 fishermen on August 31.

On September 1, the site published photos and videos of the detainees, with locals identifying at least six of them as residents of St Martin's Island and 10 from Teknaf.

Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, upazila nirbahi officer of Teknaf, said around 80 fishermen have so far been detained by the Arakan Army. The respective trawler owners' associations are applying to us to rescue the fishermen, and the law enforcement agencies are working to secure their release, he added.

Asked about the issue, Col Mahiuddin Ahmed, commander of Border Guard Bangladesh's Ramu sector, recently said, "This is not a case of abduction -- the fishermen are crossing into Myanmar's territory, which is why they are getting into trouble. We have protested strongly in the past [about such incidents], and we are protesting now. Through effective communication, they are usually brought back."

However, the lack of formal diplomatic relations makes the process difficult, the BGB official added.

According to trawlers owners' associations and BGB, around 200 fishermen abducted by Arakan Army returned home over last eight months.