Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (Squab) has suspended the movement of tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s Island route as firing from across the Myanmar border continues.
Recently, residents of Teknaf are feeling the heat after fighting between Myanmar junta forces and separatists shifted to a location close to the Teknaf region from Gumdhum border in Bandarban.
Squab President Tofail Ahmed told journalists they had suspended the operation on Sunday as firing could be heard across the borders even on Friday. He said ships would operate on alternative routes, such as from Chittagong, to the island.
In this regard, Teknaf Upazila Acting Executive Officer Erfanul Haque said: “We have been instructed to stop the movement of ships for this month. Vessel movement from Teknaf will be suspended until further instructions.”
On September 18, Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe was summoned by Dhaka for the fourth time over the recent incidents of firing along the borders.
Dhaka reiterated its “deep concern” over mortar shelling, indiscriminate aerial firing in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
On September 16, a 17-year-old-Rohingya boy named Mohammad Iqbal was killed, and six others were injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at the Zero Point Rohingya Camp close to the international border in Tombru.
Another youth named Anganthowai Tanchangya was injured in a landmine explosion along Tombru border the same day.
Bangladesh has repeatedly asked Myanmar to keep fighting within the country’s border, saying that Dhaka will lodge complaints with the UN in this regard if things escalate further.
