POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Mar 17, 2022: Although over 24 hours have passed since the disappearance of 18 fishermen and four boats of Bangladesh, the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) has not been able to rescue them so far.
Lt. Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar, BGB-2 Sector Commander working in Teknaf Sector, told UNI some time ago that so far we have not been able to rescue the 18 fishermen. We are in constant touch with the Myanmar Border Guard Security Force (BGP). They have not been able to give us any information so far.
It may be mentioned here that on the way back after fishing, four boats including 18 Bangladeshis were seized from the Bay of Bengal near Shahpari Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar by Myanmar Border Guard Police BGP).
They were taken away on Tuesday (March 15) afternoon. The Myanmar BGP did not return them till the writing of this report today.
Detained fishermen are: Md. Jalliapara of Shahpari Island. Jasim (25), Saiful Islam (23), Faisal (23), Abu Taher (22), Ismail (20), Ishaq (24), Abdur Rahman (24), Nur Kalam (26), Hossain (22), Hasmat (25), Akbar (23), Nazim Ullah (19), Rafiq (20), Sabbir (25), Helal (25), Rezaul Karim (16), Ramzan (18), Jamal (21).
Confirming the matter, Abdus Salam, UP member of Ward No. 5 of Sabrang Union Parishad, said that Myanmar Border Guards caught the 18 fishermen including four boats and took them away to their land.
After knowing the matter, the upazila administration and BGB have been informed about the matter, he said.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Parvez Chowdhury confirmed the matter saying, “I have heard that 18 Bangladeshis were taken away along with the boats.” However, no one from their family informed us. Details are being sought in this regard, he said.
Meanwhile, UNI Correspondent dialed the mobile phone of Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at about 9pm today, but he did not receive the call.
