13 fishermen ‘abducted by Arakan Army’

Thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen were abducted allegedly by the members of Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army from the Naf River in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Saturday morning.

Those abducted were identified as Mostafizur Rahman, 40, Farid Hossain, 30, Rabiul Hasan, 17, Kalam, 30, Hossain Ahmad, 38, Mir Kashem Ali, 40, Gias Uddin, Salauddin, 18; Mohiuddin, 22, Molla Kalu Mia, 55, Abu Taher, 40, Abdul Khalek and Jaber Mia, 24, residents of Majher Para and Donger Para villages of Shah Porir Dwip, reports UNB.

Quoting some fishermen who returned from the Naf river, Abdul Gafur, president of Shah Porir Dwip Paschim Para Fishermen Association, said a group of Arakan Army members riding on speedboats chased some fishing boats at Naikhyongdia area adjacent to Gholarchar near Shah Porir Dwip around 7 am and abducted 13 fishermen along with three engine boats while they were fishing.

Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward No. 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad, said fishing in the Naf River has become increasingly risky due to the activities of Arakan Army members. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Enamul Hafiz Nadim said no written complaint has been lodged yet.

However, the law enforcement agencies are working to secure the safe return of the abducted fishermen, he said.