By Arakan Times
Myanmar coast guards abducted 19 Bangladeshi fishermen
while they were fishing inside Bangladesh water territory on two engine boats
on (Monday) Jan 22.
According to report, Myanmar coast guards saw two boats
of fishermen and chased down and caught them while they were fishing inside
Bangladesh water at day time.
The owners of the two boats said to Arakan Times
reporter, the fishermen were later released after having received 400,000 Taka
as ransom that night but the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said they don’t know
anything regarding the matter.
The owners of the boats were known as Shamsul Alam of
Mistry Para of Sabrang and Mohamed Ismail of Dokkin Para (South Para) of
Shaforirdip of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.
They said on last Tuesday, the fishermen were fishing on
the Bay of Bengal at east-south side of Saintmartin Island inside Bangladesh
nautical border. Suddenly, a big engine boat encroached inside Bangladesh water
from Myanmar side. The crews on that boat were in coast guard uniform. They
jumped over to the fishermen’s boat and caught them at gun point.
Later, the fishermen were tied firmly with rope and
assaulted mercilessly by the gun men. After beating them, the coast guard made
them call to their respective boat owners for ransom money of 500,000 Taka.
Thinking for the life of the fishermen and the valuable
boats, the owners agreed to pay 400,000 Taka as ransom.
Later the BGB was informed of the matter by the boat
owners and they gave assurance to the boat owners that they would look into the
matter.
At 10:00 pm, again a call came to the boat owners from
Myanmar Coast Guard. When the coast guard said the boat and the fishermen would
be released if the demanded money was given. Then the boat owners by another
boat set off to the spot.
When the Myanmar coast guard received 400, 000 Taka, the
fishermen along with the boats were released at deep night. But, the fishes
worth about 50,000 Taka and fuel were looted by them.
The Teknaf BGB-2 Lt.Col S.M Ariful Islam said, “we have
not contact with Myanmar coast guard. However, the matter was instantly
informed to Myanmar Border Guard Police. It is assumed that the boat and the
fishermen were released as we informed it to the BGP in Myanmar instantly. But
we don’t know if the boat owners had to give ransom money to coast. Nevertheless,
we are sending a protest letter to Myanmar against the Myanmar Coast Guard for
encroaching into our nautical border”.