Arakan Army seizes Rohingya fishing nets and livelihoods
Residents say confiscated fishing nets were auctioned after armed authorities blocked access to traditional fishing waters
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Rohingya fishermen living along the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar say the Arakan Army in western Myanmar have confiscated fishing equipment, restricted access to traditional fishing grounds and deprived families of one of their last remaining sources of income.
According to residents living near the Naf River — a waterway separating Bangladesh from Myanmar — militants linked to the Arakan Army carried out an operation last month that resulted in arrests, equipment seizures and growing restrictions on fishing activities.
Independent Rohingya news outlet Rohingya Khobor reported that local residents accused Arakan Army authorities of later auctioning off confiscated fishing equipment.
Residents said armed personnel operating on Myanmar side of Naf River launched an operation on May 20 targeting fishing activity near border waters. During the operation, several fishermen reportedly fled, while six others — including Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals — were reportedly detained.
Local residents said authorities linked with the Arakan Army confiscated a fishing boat along with 22 large fishing nets, many of which belonged to Rohingya families dependent on daily fishing income. Villagers allege that at least 15 nets have already been sold through local auctions, while others remain under control of local authorities.
Several residents also alleged that some confiscated equipment is now being used by local officials and security personnel themselves to fish in waters where local communities claim they are no longer permitted to operate. Those allegations could not be independently verified.
For many Rohingya families living near border regions, fishing remains one of few available sources of income after years of displacement, movement restrictions and economic marginalization. Residents say loss of equipment has left many households struggling to survive.
“These nets were our livelihood,” one fisherman told Rohingya Khobor, describing how families relied on daily catches to buy food and meet basic needs.
Other residents said restrictions now extend beyond confiscated equipment, claiming local fishermen have effectively been pushed out of areas where they traditionally worked.
Rohingya communities and local residents have called on senior Arakan Army and United League of Arakan officials to investigate allegations, return confiscated property and restore access to fishing areas along Naf River.
The accusations emerge as the Arakan Army continues expanding territorial control across large parts of western Myanmar, including areas home to significant Rohingya populations, where rights groups and residents have repeatedly raised concerns over movement restrictions, forced displacement and access to livelihoods.
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