Food shortage at Saint Martin’s: Residents struggle amid vessel suspension due to Myanmar unrest
UNB
Publish: 13 Jun 2024, 11:29 PM
Cox's
Bazar, June 13 (UNB)- Over 10,000 residents of Saint Martin's Island are facing
severe food shortages 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.
Local administration
officials have implemented alternative measures, arranging special transport
via river routes and permitting goods-laden vessels to ensure essential
supplies reach the island.
Since February, movement
of tourist ships and other vessels have been disrupted due to escalating
violence in Myanmar, which has spilled over 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 significant 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 authorities to enforce the ban
on all vessel movements.
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.
Mehedi Hasan, Teknaf
Upazila Nirbahi Officer, reported that on June 5, 25-30 bullets were fired at a
trawler carrying election commission officials from Myanmar. This incident has
heightened fears and reinforced the ban on vessel movement.
Khorshed Alam, general
secretary of the Saint Martin's Speed Boat Owners Cooperatives Association,
echoed these concerns. 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.
END/UNB/Corr/MAS/KW