Narinjara News, 13 October2024

In return for protection money, Bangladeshi fishing boatshave been permitted to operate illegally in Myanmar's seas by Myanmar Navyvessels that are patrolling the waters close to the country's border withBangladesh.

Navy vessels have crossed the mouth of the Naf River sincethe Arakan Army (AA) began an operation against the junta's Done Paik and CheinKhar Li border police stations in Rathedaung Township on November 13, 2023.

Local fishermen claim that in exchange for protection money,these navy vessels have allowed Bangladeshi fishing boats to operate inMyanmar's waterways.

According to a national of Myanmar who works as a broker onSt. Martin's Island in Teknaf Upazila, "Bangladeshi fishing boats used tofish by giving the Myanmar Navy protection money. Every day, this protectionmoney is gathered. The conflict between a navy warship and Bangladeshi fishingboats over the receipt of this protection money was the cause of the shootingand arrests that day."

Usaman, 60, a resident of the Kona Para neighborhood on ShahPori Island in Teknaf Upazila, was killed on October 9 when the Myanmar Navyopened fire on fishing vessels from Bangladesh. In addition to Usaman's boatbeing taken, six other fishing vessels were also seized, totaling at least 58arrests.

Locals have noticed that when navy warships obtainprotection money, Bangladeshi fishing boats are permitted to fish in Myanmar'swaterways. 

“People on land are seeing Bangladeshi fishing boats enterthe waters close to the Myanmar navy vessels and harvest fish. They have a longhistory of fishing in Myanmar's waterways. The Mayu lighthouse is currentlybeing approached by Bangladeshi fishing vessels, who continue to fish inexchange for protection money," the resident said.

Furthermore, locals claim that the junta navy shipspositioned at the mouth of the Naf River frequently communicate withBangladeshi fishing boats, asking for food and clean drinking water.

Regarding the killing of a Bangladeshi fisherman inMyanmar's waters on October 9, Bangladesh has protested to Myanmar.

In response to the Myanmar Navy's October 9, 2024, killingof Usman, a 60-year-old Bangladeshi fisherman from the Kona Para region on ShahPori Island in Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar, the Bangladeshi ministry offoreign affairs today filed a protest with the government of Myanmar, accordingto a press statement.

Bangladesh expresses profound concern over this tragicincident, which is made worse by the kidnapping of roughly fifty-eightBangladeshi fishermen and six fishing boats, including Usman's boat, while theywere fishing close to St. Martin's Union in Teknaf Upazila, Bangladesh, in adiplomatic note sent to the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka.

After speaking with the Myanmar Navy and the BangladeshCoast Guard, the fishermen and their boats were finally released yesterday intwo stages.

Bangladesh's government strongly advises Myanmar to actright now to stop such unjustified acts from happening again. Additionally,Bangladesh's territorial waters are fully respected, and Myanmar is urged torefrain from any further provocations.