By Hafizur Rahman
November 28, 2025
Twelve fishermen from Saint Martin’s Island in Bangladesh have been abducted after the Arakan Army seized two fishing trawlers drifting in the Bay of Bengal earlier on Thursday. Local residents said the vessels became stranded when their engines failed, leaving them exposed in open waters before the armed group intercepted them.
Mohammad Azim, president of the Saint Martin Fishing Boat Owners Association, said all twelve abducted fishermen are residents of the island. He said six men were on a trawler owned by Iliyas of West Para, while the remaining six were on a boat owned by Noor Ahmed of Bazar Para.
Azim said both trawlers lost engine power and were floating helplessly in rough seas. He said the fishermen were already fearful as the waves rose. Before any assistance reached them, the Arakan Army arrived and took all twelve men.
Fishermen on the island said the abduction has added to a series of similar incidents in recent months. Many now avoid venturing into deep waters because of the possibility of being stopped or taken by armed groups. One elderly resident of West Para said families remain anxious each time their relatives go to sea, as several boats have previously gone missing for days.
An official from Coast Guard Bangladesh East Zone said they are aware of the incident but have not yet received a formal complaint. Families of the abducted fishermen are preparing to file a report and seek assistance.
Meanwhile, the AA linked Global Arakan Network said its coastal patrol unit intercepted the boats and handed the fishermen, along with what it described as confiscated items, to relevant authorities for legal action. The network also claimed that Arakan authorities released one hundred and eighty eight Bangladeshi fishermen and thirty boats earlier this year to maintain good relations.
Despite such statements, many people remain missing. Local estimates suggest that more than one hundred and fifty fishermen, including both Bangladeshi and Rohingya, are currently detained after their trawlers were seized in recent months.
For the island community, each new incident deepens uncertainty and fear. A young fisherman said they depend entirely on the sea to survive, but each passing day the water feels more unpredictable and dangerous.
