Myanmar: Myanmar Navy detains 22 Bangladeshi fishermen, tows 4 trawlers off St Martin’s coast

NAYPYITAW, 21 November 2021, (TON): Myanmar Navy personnel have reportedly detained 22 fishermen and towed four trawlers off the coast of Saint Martin’s Island, inside the Bangladesh maritime boundary.

The island's Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmed said “the Bangladeshi men were picked up by the neighbouring country’s naval forces.”

He said “the fishermen were detained from the east side of the island. The circumstances that led to their detention were unclear.”

Ahmed said “he had spoken to some of the fishermen over the phone.”

They said “all of them were taken on board a Myanmar Navy ship and their trawlers had been towed. They did not know where they were being taken.”

“Since then, their phones have been switched off. We have notified the Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and other relevant authorities.”

Teknaf UNO Parvez Chowdhury said Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard had been informed about the situation and urged to take immediate action.

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