2 fishermen shot ‘by Arakan Army’ on Naf river

Representational Photo

Two Bangladeshi fishermen were shot allegedly by Arakan Army, an armed rebel group in Myanmar, on the Naf river in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf today.

The incidents took place near Lada union and Jaliapara on the Naf river in Teknaf in the morning and afternoon.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, “Three fishermen went to catch fish in the Naf river opposite Jaliapara this morning. As they crossed the Bangladesh waters into the Myanmar territory, Arakan Army opened fire at them, leaving two of them injured.”

The injured are Hedayet Ullah, 18, and Md Hossain, 18, residents of Jaliapara in Shah Porir Dwip of Teknaf.

They are currently undergoing treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, he said, adding that they are out of danger.

Meanwhile, three Bangladeshi fishermen were abducted allegedly by Arakan Army in the Naf river adjacent to the Lada area under Hnila union of Teknaf this afternoon.

The abducted fishermen, identified as Siddiq Hossain, 27, Rabiul Alam, 27, and Mahmud Hossain, 30, are the residents of Lamarpara in Purbo Leda of Hnila union.

Nurul Huda, member of the Hnila Union Parishad, said the three local fishermen from his area were taken at gunpoint allegedly by the Arakan Army while fishing in the Naf river. They also opened fire at them before they caught the fishermen, he said.

The incident has caused growing concern among their families, he added.

Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh Teknaf Battalion (BGB-2), said they received the news of three people being picked up by the Arakan Army from the Naf river.

“We are gathering information whether the persons are Bangladeshis or Rohingyas. We’re also trying to verify why they were there on the Naf river.”