Maungdaw, Arakan State: Thirteen refugees were abducted by Nasaka, or Burma's border security force on July 16 when they were fishing in Naff River in row boats, said Shabbir in the refugee camp.

The refugees are Jamil (32), son of Md. Hussain, MRC No. 28601 and his brother Kamal Hussain (25), Yakub Ali (17), son of Shaban, MRC No. 12512 along with ten other refugees from Nayapara camp.

The refugees, having hired nets and row boats from local people went to Naff River which separates Burma from Bangladesh on July 16 at about 2:30 pm. They were fishing in Burma territorial waters following a deal with Nasaka. The refugees paid Taka 100 per row boat for acquiring permission from Nasaka, said Jamil from the camp.

However, an hour later the Nasaka personnel from Peran Pru outpost along with some local people abducted the fishermen and took them to the Peran Pru Nasaka camp in Maungdaw Township.

Later 10 of the 13 refugees were released and three others were detained at the Nasaka camp. The Nasaka demanded Taka 4,000 for the release of the detained refugees.

After arriving at the Nayapara refugee camp, the released fishermen informed the relatives of the detained refugees to arrange for money for the release of the three.  

At about 7 pm, yesterday, Taka 2,000 was sent instead of Taka 4,000 to the Nasaka camp following which the detained refugees were released.

One of the refugees said, "We struck a deal with the Nasaka for fishing in Burmese territorial waters. But they (Nasaka) did not keep their promise and we were abducted from the Naff River."