Bangladeshi fisherman injured by Myanmar Navy gunfire near St Martin's

A Bangladeshi fisherman was injured by gunfire from the Myanmar Navy while he was fishing in the Bay of Bengal near St Martin's Island on Wednesday.

The injured fisherman, Mohammad Ershad, 40, a resident of the Golachipa area of St Martin's Island, is originally from Khagrachhari.

St Martin's Union Parishad Member Md Syed Alam said six fishermen had gone fishing aboard a trawler owned by Ali Johar, a resident of the island. 

“In the southeastern Bay of Bengal, Myanmar Navy personnel pursued the fishermen and opened fire, injuring one.”

Nezam Uddin, one of the fishermen, said the Myanmar Navy fired on the fishermen from a ship when they were fishing near St Martin's Island. 

Ershad had been hit in his right arm, he added.

Major Md Ishtiaq Murshed, acting commander of Teknaf 2 Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), acknowledged the incident, saying the Myanmar Navy had mistakenly shot at the fisherman. 

“They later provided medical treatment to the injured man and sent him back. We are investigating the matter further.”

Meanwhile, Teknaf Assistant Commissioner of Land Arif Ullah Nizami said he was unaware of the incident.

This is not the first such shooting. On October 11, a Bangladeshi fisherman was killed and several others were injured by gunfire from the Myanmar Navy, prompting Bangladesh to strongly protest the incident at the time.