A total of 36 Rohingya men, women, and children are now under the custody of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after entering Teknaf in Cox`s Bazar on a fishing boat along the Marine Drive.

They entered via the Mundar Dailghat area of Sabrang in Teknaf early Sunday (January 5) afternoon.

There are five women, 10 children and 21 Rohingya men who are now under the custody of BGB. The BGB said that the Rohingyas would be sent back to Myanmar.

Confirming the incident, Teknaf`s local union parishad member Md Selim said, "A trawler carrying 36 Rohingya, including women and children, entered through Munder Deilghat along the Marine Drive. They are now under BGB custody. It is also learnt that another boat full of Rohingyas is floating on the sea near Baharchhara."

Md Alam, 30, who had been adrift at sea for four days, said, "Our village is at Nashang area, east of Akyab where the Mog Baghi and Arakan Army are torturing Rohingya people. To save our lives, we left Myanmar on a wooden boat five days ago and attempted to enter Bangladesh. Our engine broke down, and another trawler towed us to shore and handed us over to the BGB."

Another Rohingya, Zaher Alam, added: "There are five Muslim villages in our area. People are being forcibly taken for weapons training and used against the junta. Those who refuse to join the Mog Baghi group face severe torture. The Arakan Army is using Rohingya as tools. We felt it was better to die in Bangladesh than to stay and suffer there."

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ehsan Uddin said, "We have heard about the Rohingya entering. Investigations are ongoing."

Major Ishtiaq Ahmed of Teknaf-2 BGB, said, "A total of 36 Rohingya entered via the sea route. They will be sent to Myanmar."