The 11 Bangladeshis were found staying on the banks of a shrimp farm pond beside the Kanpu stream near Oudawn village (west) in Maungdaw Township at about 7am on 17 May. They were spotted by Lalu Myar a local Housing Group Head who informed the Border Security Force and Oudawn Police Station. The authorities then arrested the Bangladeshis.

A 12 year old boy was among the 11 arrested people,

According to the Bangladeshis they were the victims of human traffickers who were supposed to take them to Malaysia by boat, but they said they could not take them there due to problems. Then, during the night of 15 May, the traffickers dropped the victims off the coast of Arakan State in seven feet of water telling them it was a Bangladeshi beach. The victims then swam to the beach, according to U Hla Thein a state government spokesperson.

After questioning the victims the authorities let them return to Bangladesh from Myin-Hlut (west) Village on a Bangladeshi fishing boat at 4:30 pm on the evening of 17 May.

A local resident from Alel-Thaan-Kyaw village said that security patrols have been increased in the coastal area of southern Maungdaw Township and that they have been checking many fishing boats.

A villager from Sin-Tet-Hmaw village in Pauktaw Township said: “Many naval ships are moving at sea and they are checking any boats they think look suspicious. They have been doing that ever since the news came out that human traffickers and their victims, who are going to Malaysia by boat, are entering Burmese territorial waters.”

The Burmese authorities have said that the search for boat people in Burmese territorial waters involves patrols by air and navy forces as well as the border security forces and the police. If they find any refugees they will give them humanitarian assistance.

Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI