Due to the situation caused by the conflict in Myanmar, two trawlers coming from Saint Martin to Teknaf using alternative waterways inside Bangladesh were fired upon.
On Wednesday (July 17) at around 2 pm, the trawler 2 was targeted while passing Shahparir Dwip Badramokam area of Teknaf.
Abdur Rashid, president of St. Martin Service Trawler Owners Association, confirmed this information.
He said that two trawlers named FB Naim and FB Rashed left for Teknaf with 75 passengers from Saint Martin Ghat around 12 noon. The trawlers traveling together were crossing the Bay of Bengal using two alternative waterways and entering the Nafnadi estuary around 2 pm.
At this time, one after another gunfire started raining from the Myanmar side. The trawler drivers maneuvered the trawler but for half an hour the two trawlers were fired upon.
No passengers were injured but the trawler was hit by bullets. Around 2:30 p.m., trawler 2 got a chance to land at the jetty of Shahparirdwip. Till the trawler reaches the 2 piers, the towed shots are fired from across.
Abdur Rashid said the two trawlers were moving in the interior of Bangladesh away from Myanmar. However, the shelling from Myanmar has created a new fear in the minds of the islanders, including the driver.
Asked who fired the shots, he said, as far as is known, the side of Myanmar is under the control of the Arakan Army in the Naikxyongdia area. They shot.
Teknaf upazila executive officer (UNO). Adnan Chowdhury said, I have learned about firing again on 2 trawlers of Saint Martin from Myanmar. The appeals court has been informed in this regard. Further action will be taken after the decision of the appellate court.
Earlier, due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, on the afternoon of June 1, a trawler carrying 10 passengers with goods bound for Saint Martin from Teknaf was fired from Naikxyongdia area. In addition, on June 5, a poll was taken to determine the result of the vice chairmanship of Teknaf Upazila Parishad at a center postponed in St. Martin. On their way back after the ceremony, the election related officials including the duty magistrate were shot again at the same point targeting the trawler. Another trawler was fired at the same point on June 8.
A speed boat was recently fired on on June 11. Each of the firing incidents took place in Bangladesh’s internal waters. Although there were no casualties in these firing incidents, boat traffic on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route was stopped considering safety. This led to food shortages on the island and impediments to emergency travel.
On June 12, in an emergency meeting of the Cox’s Bazar district administration, it was decided to use the Bay of Bengal to transport passengers and goods. From June 13, passenger traffic started using the Sabrang Mundar Dale coast in Teknaf.
On June 14, the ship took goods from Cox’s Bazar city to the island. And as an alternative route, it was decided to run some boats on a limited scale to Shahparir Dwip and St. Martin. From then on, the alternate sea route was used every few days to come and go to St. Martin.
BGB and Coast Guard have not received any statement on this issue.
Source: dainikazadi.net
