Arakan Army detains seven BD fishers

Seven Bangladeshi fishermen, along with two fishing boats, were reportedly detained by Myanmar's Arakan Army from the Naf River estuary in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, on Thursday afternoon.

According to local sources, the fishermen were picked up around 2pm while returning from fishing near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

The detainees were identified as Abdur Rahman, son of late Lal Mia; Abdul Motaleb, son of Nurul Islam; Gura Mia, son of Mokbul Ahmed; and Md Hasan, son of Abdus Salam-all from Noya Para in Sabrang Union. 

The others are Ahmed Ali, Nurul Absar and Abdur Rahim from Dail Para of Shah Porir Dwip.

Confirming the incident, Abu Faiz, a Union Parishad member of Ward No. 6 in Sabrang Union, said five fishermen from his area and three from Shah Porir Dwip had gone fishing early in the morning.

"They went out around 7am. While returning in the afternoon, they were detained by members of the Arakan Army and taken away," he said.

Family members of the detained fishers expressed deep concern. Munni Akter, wife of fisherman Ahmed Ali, broke down in tears while speaking to reporters.