People in the border area are being requested to evacuate to safer places due to ongoing fighting between the army and rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine state across the border in Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban.
Local public representatives said that since Tuesday (February 6) afternoon, residents of the border area have been asked to evacuate by the District Administration and Union Parishad.
It is said by miking that the people of Tumbru Konar Para, Tumbru Majher Para, Bhajabonia Para, Tumbru Bazar Para, Tumbru Chakma Headman Para, Tumbru Paschimkul Para, Ghumdhum Nayapara, Ghumdhum Purbapara and Ghumdhum Madhyam Para have been instructed by the Union Parishad to evacuate safely.
Two centres including No 1 Uttar Ghumdhum government primary school have been declared shelter camps. About 240 families from nine neighbourhoods are being taken to two shelters.
Khaleda Begum, a female member of the reserved seat (4, 5, 6) of Ghumdhum Union, said that the local people are being asked to move away due to the bad situation at the border. However, since Monday, local people have taken shelter in the houses of their relatives in Cox’s Bazar and Ghumdhum areas. Now, there are only few men in each house.
“Those who are still at home are not going out. The shops in the market have been closed. There is no movement of people on the roads like before. I heard shelters have been opened but I don't know yet where the shelter has been set up. But people are going to their relatives’ home more” she added.
While visiting the border area, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mujahid Uddin said, “Keeping in mind the security risk in the border area, shelter centres have been opened in two schools. People in vulnerable areas are requested to move to shelters. In general, administration and local public representatives are working in coordination.”
The DC requested the people not to touch the parts of bullets and bombs that came from across the border, because unexploded bullets and bombs may blast and injure or kill the anyone nearby. He requested everyone to be careful keeping in mind the overall situation.
Deputy Commissioner Shah Mujahid Uddin went to the house of Hosneara Begum, who was killed in a mortar shell blast from Myanmar Monday, and consoled the bereaved family members and gave a donation of Tk 20,000.
Amid the ongoing tension in Myanmar, the Ghumdhum border has been a point of tension due to clashes between the Myanmar military and the rebel Arakan Army, leading to concerns among local residents.
There is panic among the residents living on the border. In such a situation, Tumbru Bazar, Betbunia Bazar schools and madrasas are lying empty.
Many of them have evacuated their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring villages or staying with relatives for safety.
Md Anwar Hossain, member of Ward No. 5 of Ghumdhum Union, said “In our union there are 20 families from Ward No. 1, 2 and 3, 20 families from Tanchangya Para, Vajabaniya Tanchangya Para, 30 families from Tumbru Konar Para, 20 families from Ghumdhum Purba Para and 10 families from Tumbru Hindu Para have taken shelter in the houses of their relatives in various areas including nearby Cox’s Bazar Ukhiya, Morichya, Kotbari since Monday afternoon.
Chairman of Ghumdhum Union Parishad AKM Jahangir Aziz said that the local people are in fear due to the shelling on the other side of the Myanmar border for 5-6 consecutive days. Gunfire was heard across the border throughout the night.
Quoting the locals, the chairman also said, “As far as I have heard, after the takeover of Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) camp and outpost in front of the Ghumdhum Union by the Arakan Army, now the battle to occupy the BGP camp is going on. Locals living beside bordering villages have gone to the homes of their relatives in different areas in search of safe shelter.
The firing is ongoing. Sometimes the noise is heard intermittently and sometimes continuously, he added.
In-charge of Ghumdhum police outpost Mahafuz Imtiaz Bhuiyan said, gunshots were heard throughout the night. Police-BGB are on high alert so that no one can infiltrate from Myanmar.
On Monday, two people including a woman were killed and another injured in Bangladesh after mortar shells fired from Myanmar side landed in a village at Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district
