Arakan Army abducts 2 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

Two Bangladeshi fishermen were allegedly abducted by members of the Arakan Army from the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, early Wednesday.

The incident took place at dawn near the Jhimongkhali area of Hoaikyang union.

The abducted fishermen are M Selim, 50, son of Abul Kashem of Hoaikyang’s Ward-2 North Para, and M Riaz Uddin, 18, son of Oli Hossain of Unchiprang’s Ward-3 Hoaikyang.

UP member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu said an armed group suddenly appeared in the early morning fog and detained the two fishermen while they were casting nets. Other fishermen who were with them managed to flee.

Because of poor visibility and heavy fog, witnesses could not determine from which side of the border the armed men had come, he added.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) M Inamul Hafiz Nadim said the families of the missing fishermen have not yet lodged a formal complaint.

Local authorities say they are monitoring the situation closely.

Jahangir Alam/MHK