Narinjara News, 19 January, 2025

Three cargo ships carrying goods from Yangon to Teknaf land port were detained at the mouth of Naf river by the Arakan Army, while those were sailing towards Bangladesh, reports Dhaka Tribune, a Bangladeshi media outlet on 18 January.

These cargo ships were carrying 50,000 bags of pickles, dried fish, betel nuts and other items.

There is no further information that the detained cargo ships have been released.

The AA fighters detained the cargo ships with a claim that those were conducting a search on Naf river near Naikhong area along Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

Mohammad Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, general manager of United Land Port Limited informed that the AA fighters were yet to  release the cargo ships.

It may be mentioned that amid ongoing conflicts with Myanmar’s military regime, the AA has taken control over  Maungdaw township of  Rakhine State on 8 December. They also took control of the 5th border battalion. Since then, no cargo ship from Myanmar has come to Teknaf.

The most recent cargo ship from Yangon arrived on 3 December. Meanwhile, several traders at Teknaf land port reported that it was disrupted due to the ongoing conflicts in the Rakhine region.

They mentioned that, after more than a month, these cargo ships started their journey from Yangon to Teknaf, but the AA fighters  detained those cargos for a search initiative.

Traders including Shawkat Ali, Omar Faruk, Md Ayas, MA Hashem and Md Omar Wahid are among the importers affected by the detention, said the Dhaka Tribune report.

A Teknaf land port official, who wanted anonymity, informed that since the AA fighters took control of Maungdaw, no cargo ship has arrived at Teknaf land port.

"Business at the port has been significantly affected in recent months, and the Bangladesh government is losing revenue. Dhaka should engage in talks with the Myanmar regime to find a solution to restart border trade,” said a local source.

E Haque Bahadur, general secretary of Teknaf customs and forwarding agent association, also confirmed that information about the detention of cargo ships from Myanmar by AA fighters.

Lieutenant colonel Ashikur Rahman, commanding officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh  in Teknaf-2, said that none  officially informed about the development. He added that the area falls outside Bangladesh maritime boundary.

Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Upazila executive officer of Teknaf also stated that he heard about the incident but no one from the port authority had informed him.

Even the AA has not issued any statement about the incident. Narinjara News contacted the AA spokesperson over telephone, but no comment was made by him till now. (Photo: Bdnews24.com)