Cox’s Bazar Correspondent: A speedboat carrying patients on its way from Teknaf to Saint Martin was again fired upon. Although there were no casualties, extreme panic prevailed throughout the island. The incident took place at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning when Naikshyongdia reached the mouth of the Naf River during the journey from Shahpari Island in Teknaf to Saint Martin. The confluence of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal at Teknaf is known as Naikxyangdia Point. And an unknown armed group from Myanmar is stationed at that Naikxyongdia point. The group does not allow trawlers or speedboats to ply the Teknaf-Saint-Martin waterway. They are shooting as soon as they see a trawler or boat on that route.
According to eyewitnesses, the Secretary of the Boat Owners’ Association, Chayed Alam, said that although earlier shots were fired from inside Myanmar, on Tuesday, a small dinghy went down the river, causing the passengers in the speedboat to panic.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said that the matter has been informed to the superiors at all levels. The situation is very bad. In this context, the people of the island will face a food crisis. It is not clear whether Myanmar border guards or rebels are firing in that area.
Additional District Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar, Yamin Hossain, said that recently, trawlers and speedboats were fired from Myanmar. Therefore, boat traffic is closed in that waterway. However, on an urgent basis, an alternative route from Shahpari Island to Saint Martin through the Bay of Bengal was considered. This matter was discussed in the meeting of the law and order committee on Sunday. The matter has been reported to the highest level of government.
Earlier, shots were fired at the cargo trawler from Naikxyongdia to St. Martin and the election officials of Bangladesh. The area is currently under the control of the Arakan Army. Members of this group are believed to have fired the shots.
