2 Bangladeshi fishermen in Myanmar border police custody

Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) have whisked away two Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf river Saturday night when the duo were fishing near the Hechcharkhal point in Teknaf Sadar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has said.

BGB Teknaf 2 Battalion Vice-Captain Major Abu Russell Siddiqui has confirmed the incident and said the two were identified as Md Anwar, 28, and Akhtar Hussain, 29.

This is one of the several similar instances within the last one month. On Dec 7, two fishermen from Bangladesh were also apprehended by the BGP.

Again, on Dec 12 two more fishermen were detained by BGP, allegedly tortured and then released after three hours.

Major Russell said that Hasan Ali, the owner of the boat used by the duo informed BGB that the two fishermen had been picked up by the BGP.

"We have asked him to inform the same in writing," he said.

But he was yet to submit the written complaint till 8pm on Sunday, he added.

Hasan Ali said that three fishermen had gone fishing in the Naf river on Saturday. When chased by BGP, one of them, Md Ullah, managed to flee while the two others were nabbed by the BGP, he said.

Major Russell also said that any attempt to try and get the fishermen back from the BGP custody could be initiated only after a written complaint is submitted by boat owner or victims’ families.