Around 10,000 residents of Saint Martin's, Bangladesh's sole coral island, are grappling with a crisis as the island has been closed for the last six days, leaving them in a crisis for food and essential supplies.
According to locals of the island, the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state has escalated in recent days.
Gunfire struck two Bangladeshi vessels on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route recently, prompting the suspension of water transportation, said Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury.
However, it could not be confirmed whether the Myanmar border guards or the rebel groups were involved in the shooting.
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134 Myanmar security forces sent back from BangladeshThe residents said most stores are almost out of food and some traders have been taking advantage of the situation by doubling the prices.
Mohammad Islam, a grocer on the island, said they could not bring any essential food items from Teknaf due to the suspension of the trawler movement.
“There is no food except rice. If this continues, the people of the island will have to starve,” he said.
Mujibur Rahman, chairman of Saint Martin's Union Parishad, said ferry services on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route have been suspended for six days due to firing from Myanmar. No essential food and goods can be brought to the island.
If this is not resolved quickly, there may be a major food shortage on the island, he added.
Abdur Rashid, president of Saint Martin's Boat Owners Association, said people are not scared to go on boats after the recent incidents of firing from the Myanmar border. Apart from that, there is no alternative system or route to Saint Martin’s except that route.
A cargo trawler was shot from the Myanmar border on its way from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s island in the Naf River around 1pm on Saturday.
On June 5, a boat carrying election equipment and officials returning from Saint Martin's was fired from the Myanmar border. The boat sustained damage.
