Episode: KPN 18-05-2026

Arakan Army continues detaining Bangladeshi fishermen along Myanmar border

The Myanmar-based armed group, the Arakan Army (AA), continues to detain Bangladeshi and Rohingya fishermen from the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal, according to officials from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The fishermen were reportedly detained after unintentionally crossing into Myanmar waters while fishing near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

Fishermen in Custody

Category Number
Total fishermen still detained 165
Bangladeshis detained 81
Rohingyas detained 84
Fishermen returned by BGB 234
Bangladeshis returned 143
Rohingyas returned 91

According to BGB data, at least 165 fishermen — including 81 Bangladeshi nationals and 84 Rohingyas living in refugee camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar — remain in the custody of the Arakan Army. They were detained between December 8, 2024, and May 12, 2026.

During the same period, BGB secured the return of 234 detained fishermen, including 143 Bangladeshis and 91 Rohingyas.

Recent Detentions

On March 28, members of the Arakan Army allegedly detained 13 Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf River near Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf upazila. According to the BGB-2 Battalion in Teknaf, all the fishermen were residents of Sabrang union and had reportedly crossed into Myanmar territory while fishing.

Local fishermen alleged that although BGB has managed to negotiate the release of many detainees, the Arakan Army has not returned their fishing boats since early 2025.

Fishermen said an old fishing boat costs between Tk 200,000 and Tk 300,000, while a new boat can cost between Tk 1 million and Tk 1.2 million.

Boat Owners Voice Concern

Sazed Ahmed, president of the Kaukhali Boat Owners’ Association under Teknaf municipality, said the Arakan Army had detained more than 67 fishermen since August 2025.

“The fishermen departed from the ghat under my supervision,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He added that 14 fishing boats seized during the detentions had not been returned.

“Since November or December 2024, the Arakan Army has stopped returning boats. The fishermen were brought back through negotiations by the BGB and the government,” he said.

Families Await Missing Fishermen

Abu Bakar, a resident of Palongkhali union in Ukhiya upazila, said his cousin Lutfor Rahman was among five fishermen detained by the Arakan Army on November 14, 2024.

“He is still missing,” Abu Bakar said on Wednesday.

“My cousin has yet to return, and we are waiting for him. We do not know whether he is alive or dead,” he added.

Allegations of Torture

On May 9, BGB brought back 14 fishermen, including one Rohingya, from Arakan Army custody. Officials said the fishermen had been detained in the Bay of Bengal at different times during 2025 and 2026.

Earlier, on February 16, the Arakan Army handed over 73 fishermen detained from the Bay of Bengal.

Several returned fishermen alleged that they were subjected to torture and starvation while in custody.

Diplomatic Challenges

Bangladesh and Myanmar share a 271-kilometre border. According to BGB officials, the Arakan Army currently controls almost the entire Myanmar side of the border, while Myanmar’s Border Guard Police no longer maintains a presence there.

Md Toufiq-ur-Rahman, director general of the Myanmar Wing at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh has no formal diplomatic channel with the Arakan Army.

“There is no scope for maintaining diplomatic relations with the Arakan Army. We cannot formally communicate with the group to seek the release of detained fishermen,” he said.

“The Arakan Army’s detention centres are not even proper jails. We have some informal engagement. We are in a dilemma because we must allow fishing for livelihoods while also ensuring fishermen do not get detained,” he added.

He also noted that authorities could not confirm whether all detainees had crossed into Myanmar territory or whether some may have been abducted from Bangladesh waters.

Call for Maritime Border Markers

Fishermen urged the government to install floating buoys along the maritime border to help prevent accidental crossings into Myanmar waters.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui could not be reached for comment. Queries sent to BGB’s Ramu sector commander Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed also remained unanswered until Thursday evening.

Tagged as: Sittwe, hungers, Bangadesh refugee camp, Bangladesh, Teknaf, ration cut, BGP, Genocide Convention, Burma-Bangladesh border, Arakan, RSO, Buthidaung, BGB, Burma, Malaysia going boat, IDP camp in Arakan, Arakan Army, Myanmar, Military navy, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Rohingya boat people, Maungdaw, Military Council force, Rakhine, IIMM, Rathedaung, ARSA, Rohingya, war crimes, Rohingya Refugee, Camp schools, Akyab, ICC, Rohingya refugee camp, community schools, APBn, ICJ, RRRC, foods shortage, Balukhali, accountability.