The Myanmar Navy has released 56 Bangladeshi fishermen after seizing their fish, nets, and food while they were fishing near Saint Martin Island, Teknaf, in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen, along with six fishing boats, were detained by the Myanmar Navy on Wednesday, March 5, but were freed later that night after their possessions were confiscated.

The incident occurred approximately 10–15 kilometers south of Saint Martin Island, in the Bay of Bengal. According to Lt. Colonel Mohammad Ashikur Rahman, the commanding officer of the Teknaf-2 Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the fishermen were released around 11:30 PM, but their fish, nets, and food supplies were taken by the Myanmar Navy.

The owners of the six fishing boats have been identified as Mohammad Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Amin, Nurul Amin, Abdur Rahim, and Mohammad Shafik from the Shahpari Island area of Subrang Union in Teknaf. Among them, two boats belonged to Mohammad Shafik.

Lt. Colonel Ashikur Rahman mentioned that the fishermen had unintentionally ventured into Myanmar’s waters while fishing and were subsequently detained by the Myanmar Navy. The incident occurred on the morning of March 5 when the boats were fishing off the southwestern coast of Saint Martin Island, not far from Bangladesh.

After being detained, the fishermen’s fish, nets, and food supplies were taken by the Myanmar Navy. Later that evening, at around 10:30 PM, the fishermen were released and returned to their respective homes.

This incident underscores ongoing tensions and disputes between the two neighboring nations regarding maritime boundaries.

BOB Post