Bangladeshi Fishermen Under Siege

For generations, the Naf river has been a lifeline for communities in southern Bangladesh, providing a source of income and sustenance. However, this critical way of life is now under a grave and persistent threat. The Arakan Army (AA), a rebel group in Myanmar, has turned the simple act of fishing into a terrifying ordeal for hardworking Bangladeshi fishermen, with abductions, violence, and intimidation becoming a regular occurrence.

Mohammad Siddiqui, a 24-year-old fisherman, knows this fear firsthand. He was recently abducted by the AA along with two other men. "We had not crossed Bangladesh's maritime border," Siddiqui stated, yet they were met with gunfire before being handcuffed and taken across the border to Rakhine state. There, they were subjected to imprisonment and beatings. Siddiqui's harrowing account is not an isolated incident. The abductions have become common, with 15 fishermen kidnapped in February and another 56 in March. These acts of aggression are causing widespread fear and instability within the fishing community.

The fishermen are stuck in a dangerous political quagmire. The AA has claimed control over a significant portion of Rakhine state, including the border with Bangladesh. While the AA views its actions as a form of "law enforcement" against what it considers illegal fishing, the reality for Bangladeshi fishermen is one of arbitrary violence and terror. For them, fishing is not a choice—it's a necessity to feed their families. The trauma of these experiences, as Siddiqui recounts, has left him and his fellow fishermen "scared to fish."

Despite the risks, these men have little choice but to return to the water. A ban on fishing in a portion of the Naf river in previous years, intended to curb drug trafficking, pushed some fishermen closer to the border. Now, even with the ban lifted, the presence of the AA has created an atmosphere of constant dread. As fisherman Mohammad Hussain described, "Every time we go fishing now, we recognize the sound of their boat's fuel-powered engine patrolling the border and we freeze."

The situation has created an urgent need for action. The Bangladeshi government's current approach—relying on the Border Guard and Coast Guard for rescues—is not enough to protect these vulnerable communities. Experts like Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan from the Centre for Alternatives believe that a more proactive strategy is needed. Given that the AA has become a de facto neighbor, Rejwan argues that Bangladesh must engage with the group to ensure the safety of its citizens. The ongoing abductions and inhumane treatment of fishermen are a stark reminder of the government's responsibility to protect its people from this foreign insurgent group.

The fishermen of the Naf river are asking for help. As Robiul Hassan, a 22-year-old fisherman who was also abducted, put it, "The AA is threatening our livelihood for no fault of our own, and our community does not feel safe... The government should help us out." Their voices are a clear call to action for the government to step up, protect its borders, and ensure that the vital source of their livelihood is no longer a source of fear.