BCG recovers 122 fishermen from Myanmar territory

Staff Reporter :

The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has rescued 122 fishermen and seized 19 trawlers after they illegally entered Myanmar’s territorial waters through the Naf River near Teknaf.

The operation was carried out on Friday between 8am and 11:30am, covering the river stretch from Jaliyapara to the Shahporir Dwip estuary.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque, spokesperson of the Coast Guard, confirmed the recovery and said the rescued fishermen’s identities have not yet been disclosed. He noted that escalating conflict between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State has placed the entire border area opposite Bangladesh under the rebel group’s control.

“Fishermen crossing the zero line of the Naf River are frequently detained by the Arakan Army,” Siam said.

The rescued men and their trawlers were returned from inside Myanmar’s territory, where they were at risk of capture. Images from the scene show the fishermen under Coast Guard custody at Shahporir Dwip station.

The Coast Guard officer added that such incidents pose serious challenges for Bangladesh’s border security agencies.

“These violations of international law not only endanger fishermen but also complicate efforts to curb Rohingya infiltration, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and other cross-border crimes,” he explained.

Authorities said legal action is being taken against the fishermen and trawler owners.
According to local sources, between 5 and 28 August, the Arakan Army detained 63 Bangladeshi fishermen and 10 trawlers.

Since December last year, the group has captured 267 fishermen and 41 vessels in the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal.

Of them, 189 fishermen and 27 trawlers have been returned through efforts of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).