AA transfers detained fishermen to Bangladesh authorities

By Admin 21 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 November 2024, Maungdaw

Illegal fishing by Bangladeshi fishermen has increased in Arakan State waters, according to the Arakkha Army (AA), which on November 5 seized 15 Bangladeshi fishing trawlers and detained 20 Bangladeshi nationals it said were fishing illegally in Arakan waters.

After two days of interrogation, they were told to sign a pledge that they would never again fish in Arakan State waters illegally before being transferred back to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the AA reported.

Seven of the 15 seized fishing trawlers were turned over to the BGB on Wednesday, according to the AA.

The AA said that delays in transferring the fishing trawlers were caused by ongoing military tensions and the threat of junta airstrikes in Maungdaw Township. The ethnic armed group stated that the remaining eight trawlers would be handed over to Bangladeshi authorities when it is safe to do so.

Locals reported that Bangladeshi fishing boats frequently enter Arakan waters to fish near the Naf River estuary in Maungdaw Township and the Bay of Bengal.

They also say Myanmar Navy vessels stationed between Bangladesh’s St. Martin’s Island and the Maungdaw coast turn a blind eye to Bangladeshi fishing boats operating in the area.

One villager from Kyauk Panu Village in Maungdaw Township said: “The regime has banned local people from fishing in the sea since the fighting broke out in Arakan State. Navy ships still patrol the sea, preventing Arakanese people from fishing. However, they just ignore the Bangladeshi fishing boats.”

The AA stated that it had released the Bangladeshi fishermen without punishing them in consideration of their livelihood hardships. It also expects that the leniency will help promote cross-border cooperation with the Bangladesh government, the AA added.

An Arakanese military analyst stated: “While the AA is fighting for control of Arakan State and still can’t fully control Maungdaw, Bangladeshi fishermen are taking advantage by illegally fishing in Arakan waters. The Bangladeshi government also seems to be testing the AA’s capacity for border [management].”

In October, the AA detained five Bangladeshi nationals who were illegally fishing in Arakan waters near the Naf River. They were handed over to the BGB.

The AA in its statement on Wednesday warned of future legal action against any Bangladeshi citizen caught fishing illegally in Arakan State waters.

The AA is engaged in active conflict with the Myanmar regime’s Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw Township, which borders Bangladesh.