People in Saint Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar district have been passing days amid panic as vessel communications with the island remained suspended for over a week due to infighting between Myanmar junta troops and rebel groups.
Besides, a renewed fighting on the other side of the Naf River has left the people of Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf upazila under threat.
However, more than three hundred people left St Martin’s Island on Thursday for Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar by three trawlers escorted by Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard.
Sources said the people of both the islands have been struggling for food and other emergency supply.
According to them, over 10,000 residents of Saint Martin’s Island are facing severe food crisis following the suspension of water vessel operations on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s Island route. This suspension, enforced due to unrest in Myanmar near the Bangladesh border, has severely impacted the island’s supply chain. The fall of Myanmar’s border towns to rebel forces in recent days has put further pressure on the military regime as it grapples with a relentless insurgency across the country.
Three years after a military coup, Myanmar’s junta facing serious threat from insurgents as it has lost control of strategic frontier regions near India, China, Bangladesh and Thailand.
However, local administration officials have taken alternative measures, arranging special transport via river routes and permitting goods-laden vessels to help essential supplies reach the St Martin’s Island.
Since February, movement of tourist ships and other vessels has been disrupted due to escalating violence in Myanmar, which has spread to the border areas of Bangladesh.
Recently, frequent gunfire has been reported along the Teknaf border, causing panic among island residents and further disrupting the movement of goods and people. The suspension has led to a food crisis on the island.
Mujibur Rahman, chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that vessels had been targeted by gunfire, prompting the authorities concerned to enforce the ban on movement of all vessels.
All kinds of vessels, including those carrying goods, have been suspended for the past six days, he said, emphasizing the dire consequences for the island’s food supply.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehedi Hasan said that on June 5, some 25-30 bullets were fired targeting a trawler carrying election commission officials from Myanmar. This incident has caused fears and reinforced the ban on vessel movement.
Khorshed Alam, general secretary of Saint Martin’s Speedboat Owners Cooperatives Association, echoed the same. People are afraid to travel on this route due to the risk of being fired upon.
In response to the crisis, Md Yeamin Hossain, additional district magistrate of Cox’s Bazar, announced that measures are being taken to transport goods to Saint Martin’s Island using trawlers, with enhanced security protocols to ensure safe delivery.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Mohiuddin, commanding officer of BGB-2 Battalion, confirmed that a formal protest is being prepared to address the attacks on trawlers with the Myanmar security forces.
Panic in Shah Porir Dwip as fresh explosions rock Myanmar
A renewed fighting on the other side of the Naf River has made people panicked at Shah Porir Dwip in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf.
Locals said they spent a sleepless night yesterday as sounds of heavy explosions from Myanmar reverberated through the settlement all night till 11:00 am on Thursday.
According to media reports, fierce clashes are going on between Myanmar junta forces and rebel Arakan Army in Rakhine state.
Abdus Salam, a member of the Sabrang union where the island is situated, said explosions were heard across the Naf River during nighttime. "It is difficult to say where this was taking place."
Abdur Rahman, a resident of the island, said that the explosions were loud and made people of his neighbourhood panicked.
Locals said that a warship of Myanmar arrived in its water opposite to Shah Porir Dwip yesterday afternoon. The explosion started early Thursday after its arrival, they added.
The conflicts between the Myanmar junta force and the Arakan Army (AA) intensified from the beginning of February. The junta troops had to step back and many fled to Bangladesh due to the intensity of attacks by the rebel group.
