Hours after detaining 56 Bangladeshi fishermen along with six fishing boats in the Bay of Bengal, the Myanmar Navy released them around midnight.

The fishermen arrived in Teknaf early today, said Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.

Although the Myanmar Navy freed them, the fishermen alleged that their fishing nets and catch were seized.

The Myanmar Navy detained the fishermen yesterday afternoon after they allegedly crossed the Bangladesh maritime boundary and entered Myanmar waters, the UNO said.

"They arrived in the morning, and the coast guard is investigating the matter," he added.

Regarding their confiscated catch and equipment, he added, "The fishermen claimed that the Myanmar Navy seized their fish and nets. The issue is under investigation."

Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward 7 of Sabrang Union Parishad, said the Myanmar Navy intercepted the fishermen's trawlers about 10 to 15 kilometres south of St Martin's Island.

Bashir Ahmed, president of the Shah Porir Dwip Southpara Trawler Owners' Association, said, "We got to know about the incident from fishermen who returned from the sea."