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Teknaf 23 May 2025 : The Bangladesh-Myanmar border, particularly the Naf River and its adjacent areas, has become a hotspot of fear over the past seven months, with Myanmar's armed insurgent group, the Arakan Army, abducting at least 220 Bangladeshi fishermen.
Of these, 151 were taken in the first five months of 2025 alone. With the assistance of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), many have been repatriated through multiple efforts, but several remain missing.
Local sources report that on May 12, 2025, the Arakan Army attacked fishermen on the Naf River, leaving two injured by gunfire and three abducted. Earlier, on April 8, the group seized 23 fishermen along with four trawlers. The experiences of those who returned are harrowing. Mohammad Ayub, a resident of Shahporir Dwip in Teknaf, recounted that on April 6, their trawler was intercepted at gunpoint in the Bay of Bengal near St. Martin’s Island. The nine fishermen on board were blindfolded and taken to Maungdaw, Myanmar, where they were held in prison-like conditions alongside 200-250 other captives. They were given rice and jackfruit cores served on banana leaves twice daily, with no salt or spices. Requests for salt led to beatings. Ayub claimed the Arakan Army demanded food supplies from Bangladesh in exchange for releasing captives.
The Arakan Army’s increased activity stems from their control over 90% of Rakhine State, achieved after intense conflict, with full control established by December 8, 2024. They have imposed a ban on vessel movement in the Naf River’s Myanmar waters, leading to frequent abductions of fishermen who inadvertently cross the maritime border. Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, BGB’s Ramu sector commander, stated that the Arakan Army detains fishermen for crossing the maritime boundary, and while BGB has secured the release of many through informal channels, supplying food to the group is not an option.
Fishing in the Naf River was banned for nearly eight years due to concerns over drug trafficking and Rohingya infiltration but was permitted again in February 2025 following a High Court order. However, the Arakan Army’s actions continue to endanger fishermen. Local boat operators note that fishing in the Naf River has become increasingly difficult, with some fishermen crossing the border unintentionally due to economic pressures.
AI/MR
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