Arakan Army abducts 10 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

In a distressing development, members of Myanmar's separatist armed group, the Arakan Army, have reportedly abducted 10 Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf River in Cox's Bazar. The incident occurred on Wednesday (May 1) morning, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting swift action from authorities. According to reports, the fishermen were captured from Modirkhal in the Naf River, situated within the Palangkhali Union of Ukhia Upazila. Palangkhali Union Chairman, M. Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, confirmed the abduction, expressing deep concern over the safety and whereabouts of the captured individuals. The fishermen, identified as Jane Alam, 35, Abdur Rahim, 40, Anwarul Islam, 37, Saiful Islam, 30, Ayubul Islam, 30, Shaheen, 20, Abdur Rahim, 52, Osman Gani, 30, Osman, 35, and Hashim, 35, hail from various areas within the Palongkhali Union. Their families anxiously await news of their return, hoping for their swift and safe release. Chairman Chowdhury recounted the circumstances of the abduction, stating that the Arakan Army members apprehended the fishermen while they were engaged in their livelihood at the mouth of the canal. Despite efforts to locate them, their whereabouts remain unknown, prompting immediate action from local authorities. Ukhia Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Tanbir Hossain affirmed that upon receiving information about the incident from the local Union Parishad chairman, authorities swiftly initiated a high-level response to address the situation. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been mobilized to coordinate efforts aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted fishermen. The abduction of the Bangladeshi fishermen by the Arakan Army underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by communities living along the border regions. It highlights the vulnerability of those whose livelihoods depend on the Naf River, a lifeline for many fishermen and their families. Efforts to secure the release of the abducted individuals are going on, with authorities working tirelessly to ensure their safe return to their families.
Published on: 2024-05-02 14:38:30.004538 +0200 CEST