Myanmar’s Arakan Army has handed over five Bangladeshi fishermen, who were taken from the Shah Porir Island estuary in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The BGB brought them back to Jaliapara Jetty Ghat in Teknaf Municipality on Wednesday at around 1:30pm, according to Lt Col Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of the Teknaf 2 BGB Battalion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Arakan Army had taken the Bangladeshi fishermen from the Shah Porir Island estuary in Teknaf.
The returned fishermen are Md. Alam, 22, son of Abdur Rahim from Jaliapara in Shah Porir Island, Md Rasel Mia, 23, and Md Saiful Mia, 17, sons of Abdul Majid, Borhan Uddin, 19, son of Rafiqul Islam, and Md Rashed, 24, son of Khorshed Alam from Chakaria.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, that part of the country is under the control of the Arakan Army.
Consequently, it was members of the Arakan Army who took the fishermen. Later, upon contacting the relevant parties active in that part of Myanmar, the five Bangladeshi fishermen were returned, said the BGB official.
The process of handing over the returned fishermen to their families is currently underway, added Lt Col Mohiuddin.