16 Bangladeshi fishermen detained by Myanmar coast guard; families in distress

Sixteen Bangladeshi fishermen, including 13 from Lakshmipur and Noakhali, were detained by the Myanmar Coast Guard in the Bay of Bengal about a week ago while fishing, according to family members and the trawler owner.

The trawler owner has submitted separate applications to the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, seeking assistance to secure their return.

Sources said the fishermen and crew were detained on 23 March while fishing in the Bay. Communication with them was lost from the following day. A general diary (GD) was filed at Moheshkhali Police Station in Cox’s Bazar on 28 March.

Trawler owner Mizanur Rahman, a resident of Moheshkhali upazila, said his vessel left for the Bay of Bengal on the morning of 23 March with 16 fishermen and crew members on board.

He later learned through other fishermen that the Myanmar Coast Guard detained them within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and took them away.

The detainees are currently being held at Akyab (Sittwe) Police Station No 1 in Myanmar, he added.

According to Mizanur, the detainees include one fisherman from Kamalnagar upazila and nine from Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur, along with three from neighbouring Noakhali district.

The remaining three are from Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, and Bhola, one from each district.

The identified fishermen from Ramgati are Md Jewel, Md Nirab, Md Rakib Hossain, Md Mezbah Uddin, Md Saddam Hossain, Md Liton, Farhad Hossain, Md Tahmid, and Md Tamjid.

From Kamalnagar, Md Aji Ullah has been detained, while the Noakhali fishermen are Md Shahjahan, Jaber Hossain, and Md Sohag.

Family members said they last heard from the fishermen days ago. Rozina Akhter, wife of fisherman Liton, said her husband called last Friday to inform her that their trawler had been detained by the Myanmar Coast Guard.

Tasleema, wife of Mezbah Uddin, said she has lost contact with five family members for seven days, including her husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law’s husband, and nephew.

She learned through other fishermen that they had been detained by a Myanmar force. Families remain deeply anxious and are urging immediate intervention.

Lakshmipur Additional Deputy Commissioner Samrat Khisa said authorities have been alerted and instructed to take necessary steps, adding that communication with relevant government departments is ongoing.