Maungdaw, Arakan State: Six dead bodies were found floating in the Naf River yesterday morning, according to a fisherman from Shweza Village. The identities of the bodies have been not been established.

“While we are fishing in the Naf River, we saw four dead bodies were floating in the river,” the fisherman explained. “We don’t know the people. Maybe they were trying to cross the river in the night to or from Bangladesh.”

Other fishermen who work in the river said, “Maybe the people were attacked by robbers and pushed down into the river.”

Later, an additional two bodies were found by border trade boat passengers in the evening while they were returning from Bangladesh, said a sailor from the boat.

“We informed the authorities at the exit and entry point, but we don’t know what they will do.”

The six bodies have not yet been retrieved from the river, and so far no relatives or other people have come to claim them. The authorities are still not taking any actions about the situation, said an elder from Maungdaw.

“They were human beings. Why are the authorities silent? Why aren’t they taking the bodies out of the river?”, asked the elder.

Most of the Rohingya and Rakhine community who visit their relatives in Bangladesh cross the river with the permission of Burma’s Border Security Force (Nasaka) after paying money for passes. Some people who work in illegal smuggling cross the river at night when dangers are increased. It is illegal for local people to cross during the night time and risk for their life.

Nasaka Director Lt. Col. Aung Gyi visited the areas of Shweza and Maung Ni Villages today and checked the outposts of the Nasaka in the area, said an official from Maungdaw.

“I hope the dead bodies will take from the river soon. Then the authorities can search for the relatives,” a village elder commented.