Seventy-two students and some teachers of Dhaka University’s Department of History found themselves marooned in St Martin’s on Thursday as the sea winds played tricks, suspending all ship movements between Teknaf and the island.
According to department sources, the students along with Professor Surma Zakaria Choudhury, Assistant Professor Sajib Kumar Banik and Lecturer Muhammad Habibullah went on a three-day trip to the island on Monday.
“Due to a shortage of food items, we have had to make do with only rice and pulses. There is also a lack of medicine and sanitation, and many have fallen ill, including Professor Surma Zakaria,” Habibullah said.
He was also worried that dwindling diesel reserves would soon plunge them into darkness.
One of the students, Semam Shakur, who works at Dhaka Tribune, shared a glimpse of their ordeal. “There is not much rainfall, but the sea is rough. We are trying to stay calm, but if this situation continues for an extended period, there will be a shortage of food, shelter and medicine.”
History department authorities told this correspondent they were maintaining communication with the teachers and students, hoping that they would return to the mainland very soon.
