Cut off from mainland: Firing from Myanmar triggers food crisis in Bangladesh’s St Martin’s Island

Starting from last Thursday, the suspension of water transportation entered its sixth day. The food crisis in St Martin's Island is getting critical, said officials at the island.

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File photo of a tourist ship travelling to St Martin's Island from Teknaf via the Naf river. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR

June 18, 2024

DHAKA – Firing from Myanmar targeted a Bangladeshi speedboat this morning, disrupting efforts to restore water communication between St Martin’s Island and Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar.

The incidents occurred at the Naf river estuary, the only route to St Martin Island.

Starting from last Thursday, the suspension of water transportation entered its sixth day. The food crisis in St Martin’s Island is getting critical, our staff correspondent reports quoting Mujibor Rahman, chairman of the St Martin’s union parishad.

Abdur Rashid, president of the Trawler Owners’ Association, said, “We attempted to send two trawlers from Teknaf with food and passengers this morning. Before these, a speedboat was sent to the island. When it reached the Naf river estuary, firing from a Myanmar trawler started.”

“Around eight to ten rounds of bullets were fired,” he added, quoting the speedboat’s crew.

The speedboat sped up and escaped the attack. After the incident, the two trawlers from both Teknaf and St Martin’s returned, he said.

Rashid said, “On Friday too, criminals from Myanmar shot at my boat. The crew barely escaped unharmed.”

He could not confirm if it was the Myanmar Border Guard Police or the rebel Arakan Army responsible for the shooting.

Three trawlers from each side usually travel between Teknaf and St Martin’s Island daily, carrying passengers and supplies.

About 10,000 people live at St Martin’s Island. They are already facing a severe food crisis as most supplies come from the mainland.

Chairman Mujibor Rahman said, “The food crisis worsened as water transport has been shut for six consecutive days. If the service doesn’t resume today or tomorrow, the situation will get worse.”

He requested the deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar to send food and other essentials by sea trucks from Cox’s Bazar using alternative routes.

Yamin Hossain, additional district magistrate of Cox’s Bazar, said, “Because of the repeated firing incidents, we are looking into delivering supplies to the island through an alternate route.”

He also could not confirm whether the Myanmar Border Guard Police or the Arakan Army were shooting at Bangladeshi boats.

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