A group of 36 Rohingya men, women, and children are now under the custody of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after crossing the sea in a fishing boat and entering Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, through the Marine Drive area. The group reportedly arrived via the Mundar Dail Ghat area of Sabrang on Sunday afternoon.

The BGB has confirmed that the group, which includes five women, 10 children, and 21 men, will be sent back to Myanmar.

Confirming the incident, Teknaf local Union Parishad member Md Selim said: “A trawler carrying 36 Rohingya, including women and children, entered through Munder Deilghat along the Marine Drive. They are now under BGB custody. Additionally, reports suggest another boat carrying Rohingya is floating near Baharchhara.”

One of the individuals, Md Alam, 30, described their harrowing journey: “Our village is in the Nashang area east of Akyab. There, the Mog Baghi and Arakan Army are torturing Rohingya people. To save our lives, we left Myanmar on a wooden boat five days ago and attempted to enter Bangladesh. Our engine broke down, and another trawler towed us to shore and handed us over to the BGB.”

Another member of the group, Zaher Alam, provided further details: “There are five Muslim villages in our area. People are being forcibly taken for weapons training and used against the junta. Those who refuse to join the Mog Baghi group face severe torture. The Arakan Army is using Rohingya as tools. We felt it was better to die in Bangladesh than to stay and suffer there.”

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ehsan Uddin commented: “We have heard about the Rohingya entering. Investigations are ongoing.”

Major Ishtiaq Ahmed of Teknaf-2 BGB added: “A total of 36 Rohingya entered via the sea route. They will be prevented from settling here.”

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