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Five fishermen, along with their fishing trawler, were allegedly abducted by Myanmar’s armed group, the Arakan Army (AA), while fishing in the Bay of Bengal off the Teknaf coast in Cox’s Bazar.
The incident was confirmed on Monday by Abul Kalam, general secretary of the Kayukhali Ghat Boat Owners’ Association under Teknaf Municipality.
The abducted fishermen are reportedly residents of the Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. They were identified as trawler skipper Salam Nur, 31, Md Ayub, 37, Md Azizullah, 30, Syed Hossain, 25, and another Md Ayub, 24.
According to local fishermen, the trawler, owned by Ali Ahmad of Alir Dail village in Sabrang Union, left Kayukhali Ghat on Sunday morning for fishing. When it reached waters near Chhera Dwip, members of the Arakan Army reportedly chased, intercepted and seized the vessel, taking the trawler and its five crew members.
Several nearby fishing trawlers managed to flee the area safely.
Abul Kalam said the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities, adding that the latest abduction has triggered fresh panic among fishermen along the Teknaf coast.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S M Anik Chowdhury said the administration had received reports of the incident. Preliminary information suggests that all five fishermen are residents of Rohingya refugee camps. He said authorities are verifying the details and remain in contact with the relevant agencies.