The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a protest with the government of Myanmar over the killing of a Bangladeshi fisherman by Myanmar Navy near St. Martin's island. The victim Usman (60), hailing from Kona Para, Shah Pori Island, Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar, was killed on October 9 on Wednesday. In a diplomatic note sent to the Embassy of Myanmar in Dhaka, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over this tragic incident, further compounded by the abduction of approximately fifty-eight (58) Bangladeshi fishermen and six (6) fishing boats, including the boat of Usman, while they were fishing near St. Martin’s Union in Teknaf Upazila, Bangladesh. Read: Bangladeshi fisherman killed in firing from Myanmar; 2 injured The fishermen, along with the boats, were eventually released yesterday in two phases following contact between the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Myanmar Navy. The government of Bangladesh urges Myanmar to take immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such unwarranted actions. Myanmar is reminded to fully respect the integrity of Bangladesh’s territorial waters and refrain from any further provocations. Read more: Myanmar deports over 50,000 illegal foreigners

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.

Twenty-two Bangladeshi fishermen were detained and their four trawlers were seized Saturday by members of the Myanmar Navy from the Bay of Bengal. Saint Martin Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmed said Myanmar Navy seized four of the trawlers owned by residents  of the area with the 22 fishermen on board  around 10am Saturday, from the east side of the island when they were out in the sea fishing. Border Guard of Bangladesh and the Coast Guard have been informed about the incident, said the chairman. Read: IGP leaves for Turkey to attend Interpol general assembly According to local fishermen, those 22 fishermen went in the sea around 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 said. Trawler owner Md Azim said his trawler was taken with six fishermen onboard, along with the other three trawlers. An official from the Coast Guard’s Saint Martin station said it is being investigated whether the detained fishermen were Bangladeshi citizens or members of the Rohingya community. Read: Fire at Gulshan high-rise brought under control Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Parvez Chowdhury said BGB and Coast Guard will take actions in this regard after investigation.