A Bangladeshi fisherman was injured after being shot by the Myanmar Navy while fishing near Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The incident took place Wednesday afternoon in the southeast of Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal when a fishing trawler reportedly entered Myanmar's waters. He was taken to Dhaka for better treatment on Thursday.
The injured fisherman, Mohammad Ershad, 40, resides in the Golachipa area of Saint Martin's Island, although his ancestral home is in Khagrachari district. He was taken to a local hospital after being wounded.
Confirming the incident, Fishing Trawler owner and sailor Johar Ali said: “Ershad was injured by bullet fired by Myanmer Navy as the trawler crossed Myanmar's waters southeast of Saint Martin's Island.”
"Members of the Myanmar Navy chased the fishermen and opened fire, injuring one fisherman. The other fishermen on the trawler remained unharmed," he added.
Major Mohammad Ishtiaq Murshed, acting commander of Teknaf 2 Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said, "While fishing, the Bangladeshi trawler accidentally entered Myanmar's territorial waters. The Myanmar Navy fired at the trawler, injuring one fisherman."
The BGB is investigating the incident further to gather additional details, he added.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
