Myanmar’s insurgent Arakan Army allegedly took 20 Bangladeshi fishermen hostage from the Naf River while they were fishing on Tuesday evening, said authorities. Moreover, 15 small wooden boats from the estuary of the river near Naikhongdia of Teknaf upazila were captured. Local Union Parishad (UP) member Abdus Salam confirmed the matter saying that the fishermen from Shahparir Island, who were fishing near Naikhongdia with about 15 boats, were taken hostage at gunpoint by the Arakan Army. All the fishermen are residents of Teknaf, he said, adding that they have already informed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) about the matter. Lt. Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of Teknaf-2 BGB, said they are in contact with Myanmar authorities to negotiate their release and are making efforts to bring them back. Earlier on October 9, Myanmar's Navy took away 58 fishermen from the Bangladesh side of the Bay of Bengal, near Saint Martin's Island. One fisherman was killed and two others were injured when Myanmar Navy opened fire on them. On the next day, Myanmar authorities returned the fishermen in two separate groups, along with the body of one of the deceased.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have brought back 16 Bangladeshi fishermen who were in the custody of Myanmar’s separatist Arakan Army.Some members of Arakan Army handed over the fishermen to BGB Teknaf Battalion through the Naf River at 6 pm on Monday, said Commanding Officer of BGB-2 Lieutenant colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed. .Those who returned were identified as Md Ismail, 27, Abdul Hafez, 28, Azizur Rahman, 45, Abu Hena, 40, Ali, 40, Arafat, 30, Helal, 28, Aman Ullah, 50, Nabi Hossain, 28, Salimullah, 45, Md Yunus, 52, Md Sagar, 22, Md Selim, 28, Dil Mihammad, 27, Rahim Ullah, 52 and Md Joynal, 55.On September 28, the fishermen went to the Bay of Bengal from Cox’s Bazar’s Nunierchara Fishery ghat by a trawler. Arakan Army returns 5 Bangladeshi fishermen taken from Naf RiverOn October 5, armed robbers with three trawlers stormed into the fishing trawler and kept the fishermen hostages after beating them up mercilessly. On October 7, the robbers freed them at a char near the Bay of Bengal around 4 am.However, they managed to contact the Arakan Army and surrendered to them willingly.On October 13, the Arakan Army informed the matter the BGB who facilitated the return.

Twenty-six Bangladeshi fishermen who were caught in a storm in the bay of Bengal  and were rescued by Indian Coast Guard later returned to the country on Tuesday through Benapole check post. All the fishermen are residents of Pirojpur and Barguna districts. Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in India, Sheikh Marefat Tarikul Islam, said the fishermen were under custody of Buddha Pur flood centre in Kakdwip and Moipith Shelter Home in India. Read more: Sitrang: Indian Coast Guard rescues 20 Bangladeshi fishermen stranded at sea The fishermen returned on special travel permits and were handed over to Benapole port police station after immigration procedure in the afternoon, said Abul Kalam Azad, in charge of Benapole check post immigration. From there a non-government organization named Justice and Care received them. "The 26 fishermen will return to their families by today," said Muhit Hossain, senior programme officer of Justice and Care. Read more: Fisherman goes missing as trawler capsizes at Mongla port, 21 rescued The fishermen had gone missing on August 18, as they went out to sea to catch hilsa and got caught in a storm. They were rescued eventually by Indian Coast Guard, who took them in their custody for safety.

The Indian Coast Guard  handed over 32 Bangladeshi fishermen who they rescued from the Bay of Bengal on August 19 and 20 after their boats capsized in rough weather. The fishermen were provided food, water and medical aid, and generally taken care of by the Indian Coast Guard.   Read: Coast Guard rescues 44 stranded fishermen from Bay The handover took place on Tuesday from Indian Coast Guard vessel Varad to Bangladesh Coast Guard ship Tajuddin.   Both Coast Guards work closely together as partners for search and rescue regularly, to the benefit of the maritime communities of both countries, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Indian Coast Guard rescued 17 more Bangladeshi fishermen from the Bay of Bengal Sunday after rescuing 10 fishermen Saturday amid rough seas and strong winds. In three operations, the ICG has rescued 27 Bangladeshi fishermen so far in its continuous effort to provide assistance at sea during inclement weather. The search for missing Bangladeshi fishermen is in progress, the ICG tweeted.

Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarojini Naidu on Sunday undertook successful repatriation of one Bangladeshi fishing boat, ‘Allahar Daan’, along with 20 Bangladeshi fishermen.  The boat was reported adrift at sea due to engine breakdown and was sighted by Indian fishermen.  Read: Coast Guard rescues 7 fishermen from Bay The Indian fishermen displaying humanity provided necessary assistance to the boat and towed it to Paradip on December 26. The incident highlights the importance given by Indian fishermen to help mariners or fishermen at sea in distress irrespective of nationality thereby forming an important link in ensuring safety of life at sea, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. 

Myanmar Navy have released 22 Bangladeshi fishermen who were detained with four fishing trawlers while fishing near the St Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. Saint Martin's Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmed said four fishing trawlers with 22 fishermen arrived at the St. Martin's Island jetty Saturday midnight with the help of the Coast Guard and the Bangladesh Border Guard. Read: Myanmar Navy detains 22 Bangladeshi fishermen on four trawlers However, neither the local Coast Guard nor the BGB members agreed to comment. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Parvez Chowdhury said all the fishermen are doing well. Earlier, Myanmar Navy seized four of the trawlers owned by residents of the area with  22 fishermen on board  around 10am Saturday, from the east side of the island when they were out in the sea fishing. Read: 14 fishermen burnt as gas cylinder explodes on fishing trawler in Kutubdia According to local fishermen, those fishermen went to the sea Friday evening on trawlers owned by Nurul Amin, Md Azim, Md Hossain and Md Younus. Some members of Myanmar Navy crossed the maritime boundary on Saturday morning and took control of the trawlers at gunpoint, they alleged.

Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants (BCSM) on Thursday demanded immediate and unconditional release of four Bangladeshi fishermen in Qatar.

Over two dozens of Bangladeshi fishermen, detained in Assam, returned home on Wednesday.

Seventeen Bangladeshi fishermen who were detained by Myanmar Navy as they entered its water territory after their boat went of order were sent back on Friday night.