Dhaka, Aug 26 (V7N) - On Tuesday afternoon, the Arakan Army reportedly intercepted a fishing trawler returning from sea near the Naykhyangdia area of Myanmar and detained 11 fishermen at gunpoint. The incident was confirmed by Sultan Majhi, General Secretary of the Shah Porir Dwip Jetty Boat Owners' Association, who stated that local fishermen relayed the information.

According to his statement, the armed group arrived in a speedboat and forced the fishermen, including five Bangladeshi nationals and six Rohingyas, to their camp. This marks a recurring pattern of such abductions in the Naf River region.

Sultan Majhi also mentioned a previous incident where his own fishing trawler and 12 crew members were similarly taken by the Arakan Army and have yet to be released.

The continued presence and actions of the Arakan Army have instilled fear among local fishing communities, significantly disrupting livelihoods along the border.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehssan Uddin confirmed the incident, stating that the matter was discussed during a recent law and order meeting. He urged fishermen to remain cautious while fishing and avoid crossing into Myanmar’s territorial waters under any circumstances.

Notably, in the past week alone, at least 38 fishermen have reportedly been detained by the Arakan Army and remain unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about security and cross-border tension in the region.

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