Narinjara News, 17 April 2025 

On April 16, the Arakan Army (AA) released 55 Bangladeshi fishermen who had been captured at various times while fishing in Myanmar waters near Teknaf in Cox's Bazar to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). 

As reported by The Daily Star, BGB has brought back 55 fishermen following talks with AA authorities. 

They were brought back Monday afternoon via the Teknaf-Myanmar Transit Jetty close to Chowdhuripara in Teknaf Municipality, facing the town of Maungdaw in Arakan state. 

Photo by ABN

Nevertheless, the report indicated that the Arakan Army failed to return the boats and fishing nets. 

Lt Col Md Ashiqur Rahman, the commander of Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, stated that the Arakan Army had captured the fishermen in Myanmar while they were fishing at sea. 

"Following persistent efforts, BGB successfully managed to bring them back on Wednesday," he stated. 

The fishermen are presently in BGB detention, and their details are being gathered before they are released to their families. 

Abul Kalam, the general secretary of the Kayukkhali Boat Owners Association in Teknaf, stated that six of the fishermen who came back were crew members from his vessels. He mentioned that the Arakan Army did not give back his boats or fishing nets, which he claimed had a value of Tk 15 lakh.