Shapuri Dip, Bangladesh: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka), seized a Bangladeshi trawler on June 9, from the Bay of Bengal while the crew members were buying fish from fishermen in the Bay, said Habib, a local elder in Shapuri Dip.

On June 8 night, a trawler with five crew members owned by Goffar, from Shapuri Dip went to Bay of Bengal near Saint Martins Island to buy fish from fishermen who were fishing in Bangladesh territorial waters.

Meanwhile, a Nasaka patrol from Sitar Pawrika (Kyauk Pun Dhu) in Maungdaw Township appeared and chased the trawler. The trawler went over to the Burma side to escape the Nasaka. On the Burma side, all the crew members fled into a forest leaving the trawler on the shore of Bay of Bengal, the elder added.

On receiving information on June 9, morning, a section of Nasaka personnel went to the spot and seized the trawler and brought it to their camp. The five crew members did not return home till the time of writing this report. Their family members are worried about them, said a relative of the victims.

On June 10 morning, the owner of the trawler contacted the Nasaka through a Nasaka aide and they demanded kyat one million for the release of the trawler. The owner is preparing to generate the money to release his trawler.

On June 4, Nasaka opened fire on a Bangladeshi fishing boat near Saint Martins Island, injuring five Bangladeshi fishermen and took away the fishing boat along with fish, fishing nets and other equipments.

The Bangladeshi Fishing Committee of Shapuri Dip complained to the Bangladeshi authorities and asked it to take action against Nasaka as they frequently seize fishing boats or abduct fishermen from Bangladesh territorial waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said a local fisherman Nazir.