Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar 

Four Rohingyas, who crossed the Naf River from Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar to Myanmar, have been taken hostage by the Arakan Army. Local public representatives claim the four were abducted while attempting to bring in a consignment of drugs. However, relatives of the victims are circulating claims that they were detained while fishing in the Naf River.The incident reportedly took place on Thursday (May 1) morning at a char (river island) named Laldia, adjacent to Damdamia in Teknaf’s Hnila Union.The four abductees have been identified as Arafat Ullah (21), Anis Ullah (22), Md. Jaber (14), and Anwar Sadek (27). All of them are residents of Jadimura Rohingya Camp No. 27 in Teknaf.Mohammad Ali, acting chairman of Hnila Union, stated that while it’s true that the Arakan Army has previously abducted Bangladeshi fishermen from the Naf River, the four Rohingyas in question were not fishermen. “They regularly cross over to Myanmar for drug trafficking, particularly yaba pills. The Laldia area mentioned is inside Myanmar territory, where local fishermen do not venture. According to various sources, these four were taken hostage while attempting to smuggle drugs, and now their associates are spreading false narratives for strategic reasons,” he said.He further added, “Rohingyas aren’t permitted to leave the refugee camps. Why would they go fishing?”Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, “We’ve received information from various sources that four Rohingyas were abducted while fishing in the Naf River. The matter has been reported to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). We’re investigating whether they were actually fishing or had other motives.”Meanwhile, Mohammad Nur, a community leader (Majhi) from the Jadimura Rohingya camp, claimed the four were taken hostage at gunpoint by Arakan Army members while fishing in the Naf River. Several others reportedly managed to escape.No official statement has yet been issued by the BGB regarding the incident.