A boat carrying 31 Rohingyas and two members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) has intruded into the coral island of Saint Martin’s.
The trawler carrying the 31 people passengers landed on the northern coast of Saint Martin's Island early on Friday, amid intense clashes between the Arakan Army and the armed forces in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
The two BGP members were armed, while the 31 Rohingyas included 10 women, 10 men, and 11 children.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury confirmed that the Rohingyas and Myanmar's BGP took refuge on the island. "I heard that the boat's engine malfunctioned due to heavy rain, causing it to drift ashore."
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the coast guard are handling the situation, he added.
Three Arsa members arrested from Cox’s Bazar Rohingya campMohammad Amin, a resident of Saint Martin's Island, said that early morning, the boat reached the beach amid rain.
Local sources said the conflict between the junta and rebels in Myanmar's Maungdaw has intensified in recent days, causing residents to flee the area.
As part of this exodus, the boat carrying Rohingyas set off from Maungdaw, intending to reach Sittwe city by Myanmar Navy ship.
However, the boat's engine failed midway, and after being caught in a storm, it drifted to the northwestern beach of Saint Martin's Island.
Locals informed law enforcement, and the passengers were subsequently taken to a hotel.
Mujibur Rahman, chairman of Saint Martin's Union Parishad, said they are now in the custody of the BGB and the coast guard.
However, no statements from the BGB or the coast guard regarding the intrusion were available.
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, loud sounds of mortar shells and heavy artillery were heard along the Teknaf border from the clashes between the Arakan Army and the armed forces in Myanmar's Rakhine State, causing continued panic among border residents.
Mujibur Rahman said that the loud noises from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar continue to be heard, causing fear among the border residents.
In response to the fierce fighting between Myanmar's army and the Arakan Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard members have increased patrols along the 54km Naf River, from Hwaikyang to Shapuree Dwip in Teknaf upazila.
Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of Teknaf 2 BGB, said BGB members are prepared to handle any situation while preventing border intrusion.
