Despite the initiation of an alternative water route, fear stemming from ongoing conflicts in Myanmar has paralyzed boat traffic between Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island.
Since Monday morning, no boats have left from Teknaf. Due to ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, boat owners have been reluctant to send out their vessels.
Abdur Rashid, the president of the Boat Owners Association of this route, said that due to the conflict in Myanmar near Teknaf, no boats from the alternative Golar Chor route have departed from Shapureee Dwip Jetty to Saint Martin’s on Monday.
However, a boat from Saint Martin’s reached Teknaf safely in the afternoon.
He mentioned that boat and speedboat operations on this route would resume on Tuesday if the situation remains calm.
He also said that although the Golar Chor route is very risky, there is currently no way to reinstate the previous route via Naikhongdia.
Since June 6, boat and speedboat traffic between Cox’s Bazar's Saint Martin’s Island and Teknaf Upazila has been suspended due to shootings from Myanmar targeting Bangladeshi vessels at the Naikhongdia point of the Naf River estuary.
On June 14, before Eid-ul-Azha, a tourist ship from Cox's Bazar went to Saint Martin’s Island with food, other necessities, and passengers. The ship returned the next day.
Some other boats have also used the alternative route to transport goods and passengers.
However, regular traffic between the island and the mainland of Teknaf has been suspended since June 6.
On Sunday, three service boats from Kayukkhali canal in Teknaf went to Saint Martin’s Island with over a hundred passengers, several sacks of rice, lentils, and other necessities.
Similarly, three service boats and three speedboats carrying around 200 passengers arrived in Teknaf from Saint Martin’s, according to Mujibur Rahman, the chairman of Saint Martin’s Union.
Meanwhile, the suspension of regular boat traffic has led to increased prices of food and other essentials on Saint Martin’s Island.
The sound of explosions across the border has been heard from Teknaf Municipality and its surrounding areas.
These incidents resulted from intense clashes between the Myanmar junta forces and the rebel Arakan Army in Rakhine State across the Naf River over the past few months.