by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw Township, Arakan State | December 19, 2025
Nine Bangladeshi fishermen were arrested on December 18 while fishing in Myanmar waters near the coast of Maungdaw Township, according to local sources familiar with the incident.
The arrests took place early in the morning along the Middle Thangyaw coastal area. Around 7:20 am, a fishing boat carrying five fishermen was intercepted and seized. About 20 minutes later, another boat with four fishermen was stopped in the same area. By the end of the operation, nine fishermen and two fishing boats had been taken into custody.
Residents living along the coast said such arrests have become increasingly frequent in recent months. A local resident said fishermen often leave their homes before sunrise in search of a livelihood, but many families now spend the day in fear, uncertain whether their relatives will return.
Sources said the detained fishermen are currently being held while authorities conduct questioning and prepare legal procedures.
Family members of the arrested fishermen said the issue extends far beyond this single incident. According to them, more than 200 Bangladeshi and Rohingya fishermen remain in detention following similar arrests in recent months. Many families said they have received little to no information about the whereabouts or condition of their detained relatives.
A relative of one fisherman said families are left without answers, adding that fathers and brothers remain in custody with no clear indication of when they might be released.
For coastal communities, fishing is the primary means of survival. Each arrest removes a source of income from an already vulnerable household, deepening anxiety and economic hardship among families who depend on the sea for their daily needs.
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