“An engine boat carrying with over 80 passengers, Rohingya and Bangladeshi people, went to Malaysia by the sea route from Mitapanissara of Teknaf Union, Bangladesh four days ago. They returned to Bangladesh from the Bay of Bengal on 29 October at midnight because of arguments among the passengers.”

However, of them, two Rohingyas died from diarrhea while on the way to Malaysia. The two deceased bodies were thrown into the sea, said another passenger.

The voyagers returned to Habir Sara village of Teknaf Union. Upon being tipped off, a group of police personnel from Teknaf Police Station rushed to the spot and found the empty engine boat. No one was arrested, said an aide of the police.

However, a rumor spread out in the border area that another group was preparing to go to Malaysia, so a group of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers arrested five would-be voyagers on 29 October after conducting an operation in a different border area, said a local from Teknaf.

The arrested have been identified as Mohamed Hasim (25), Hafez Ahamed (20), Mohamed Younus (20), Ali Ahamed (80), and Kolim Ullah (16). They all belong to Maundaw South in northern Arakan State.

The BGB seized some dry rations from the men, including rice flakes, molasses, cakes, and cigarettes, during the raid, an official said.

All the arrestees have been handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further interrogation. 



According to sources, the agent, or dalal, of the voyagers took Taka 3,000 from each of the passengers before the trip with the understanding that he would be paid an additional Taka 100,000 per person after their arrival in Malaysia.