Amid exchange of fire between Myanmar junta forces and the rebel Arakan Army (AA), a Rohingya teenager was killed and two others were injured in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar by a mortar shell fired from across the border.
The boys were fishing for crabs in the Naf River on Sunday evening. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Zubair, 18, a resident of Leda Rohingya camp in Teknaf.
The injured are Mohammad Jaber from Camp 24 and Mohammad Shukkur from Camp 27.
The heightened tension has paralyzed boat traffic between Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island.
Sound of mortar shell blasts from Myanmar rattle TeknafMohammad Osman Gani, officer-in-charge (OC) of Teknaf model police station, said the trio were crab fishing in the river near Jaliar Island when they were severely injured by the mortar shell.
“Zubair died on the way to the hospital. However, it is not confirmed who carried out the attack,” he said, adding that police were investigating whether the trio was trying to cross into Myanmar.
Dr Ashiqur Rahman, resident medical officer at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, said the two injured had been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, no boats managed to leave from Teknaf due to ongoing conflict across the border since on Monday. Boat owners are reluctant to send out their vessels amid the conflict.
Abdur Rashid, the president of the Boat Owners Association on the route, confirmed that no boats from the alternative Golar Chor route departed from Shaporir Dwip Jetty to Saint Martin’s Island on Monday.
However, a boat from the island reached Teknaf safely in the afternoon.
He mentioned that boat and speedboat operations on the route would resume today if the situation remains calm.
How Bangladesh’s trafficking networks are targeting women at Rohingya campsHe 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 movement on the route has remained suspended due to shootings from Myanmar targeting Bangladeshi vessels.
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.
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.
These incidents resulted from intense clashes between the Myanmar junta forces and the rebel AA in Rakhine State across the Naf River since the past few months.
