Myanmar conflict Teknaf-St Martin sea travel suspended

Considering the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State, the water transport service between Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar has been suspended.

The Teknaf upazila administration announced the suspension of tourist vessels, service trawlers and speedboats on Wednesday.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said that the suspension has been imposed for an indefinite period due to security reasons.

"Public announcements are being made through loudspeakers to alert people in this regard," he said, adding that there is no restriction on the movement of small boats in the waters of Bangladesh.

The UNO said Myanmar's armed group Arakan Army (AA) has completely occupied the Maungdaw township in Rakhine. On 8 December, it banned the movement of boats in the Myanmar waters of the Naf River.

"Bangladeshi ships have to pass near the border of Myanmar on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route due to an island close to the Golar Char," he said.

The decision has been taken to stop the movement of water transport as the area is risky. However, law enforcement agencies have taken measures to keep the movement of trawlers transporting goods normal to Saint Martin.

On the other hand, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard have also beefed up security strengthening patrolling at frontiers.

International media reported that the rebel AA claimed control of the city of Maungdaw on Sunday morning after months of fighting with the Myanmar junta.

The conflict, which intensified since 3 February last, has seen mortar shells and bullets encroaching into Bangladesh territory, resulting in casualties and injuries.

In response to these challenges, the government has heightened the vigilance of BGB personnel to thwart any potential infiltration attempt across the Myanmar borders.

Additional BGB forces have been deployed in border areas to closely monitor and manage the situation.