The Bangladesh Navy reportedly detained 21 people along with two fishing boats carrying 1,450 bags of cement that were being transported by sea route to Rakhine State.
According to a statement released by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Bangladesh military, based on secret information received early on June 26, an operation was conducted about 13 miles from St. Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal, during which two suspicious fishing boats were seized.
The two fishing vessels seized during the Bangladesh Navy operation were identified as engine-powered wooden fishing boats named “FB Fatema Hosna” and “FB Nizhu Rabbi.”
Authorities stated that cement bags intended to be transported to Rakhine State were discovered during a search of the boats.
Among the seized vessels, 10 people were found aboard the “FB Nizhu Rabbi” along with 650 bags of Shain cement, while another 11 people and 800 bags of Shain cement were found aboard the “FB Fatema Hosna.”
A total of 21 people and 1,450 bags of Shain cement were seized, according to the report.
Officials said that legal action is being taken against the detained individuals, the seized fishing boats, and the cement bags in accordance with relevant laws.
Earlier, on June 4, the Bangladesh Navy reportedly seized five fishing boats, 1,450 bags of cement, and 52 people suspected of illegally transporting the materials from Bangladesh to Rakhine State, according to an ISPR statement.
On May 22, the Bangladesh Coast Guard also arrested and took action against eight Muslims who were allegedly illegally transporting 500 bags of cement by fishing boat from Teknaf, Bangladesh, toward Rakhine State.
On June 2, the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BGB) reportedly arrested 20 Muslims who were allegedly transporting cement illegally to Rakhine State using two boats from Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.
Photo - File photo.
