THE recent abduction of 20 Bangladeshi fishermen by the Arakan Army, a rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, is a stark reminder of the deteriorating relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The incident, which took place in the Naf River is not an isolated event but rather a symptom of a larger problem that has been festering for years.
A vernacular Bangla daily on Wednesday reported that the incident took place at Naikhyongdia point, an estuary of NAF, which detained 20 fishermen from 15 boats. According to the latest information, the fishermen along with the boats were kept on the Fatunia (Pa Nyaung) canal adjacent to the Naf River.
However, the Rohingya crisis, which has seen the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, has created a toxic atmosphere in the region.
The Arakan Army’s actions, including the abduction of Bangladeshi fishermen are a manifestation of the instability and violence that have gripped the Rakhine State.
Bangladesh has been a victim of Myanmar’s aggression, with its fishermen being frequently detained and arrested by the Myanmar Navy. The recent incident, in which 58 fishermen were captured and one killed, is a grim reminder of the risks that Bangladeshi fishermen face when venturing into Myanmar waters.
The Bangladesh government’s diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue have been met with little success. The return of the fishermen, including the body of the deceased, was only possible due to the intervention of the Border Guard Bangladesh.
However, the incident highlights the need for a more robust diplomatic approach to address the issue.
Bangladesh must take a firmer stance against Myanmar’s aggression and demand the safe return of its citizens.
The government must also work to strengthen its relations with ASEAN and other regional countries to put pressure on Myanmar to respect the rights of Bangladeshi fishermen and citizens.
The abduction of Bangladeshi fishermen is a wake-up call for the government to re-evaluate its diplomatic policy towards Myanmar. It is time for Bangladesh to take a more assertive stance and demand justice for its citizens.
Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in the government by the people of Bangladesh.