A trawler carrying 31 Rohingya refugees and two armed members of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) landed on the northern coast of Saint Martin’s Island early Friday morning. The vessel, which included 10 women, 10 men, and 11 children, drifted ashore after its engine failed during heavy rains.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Adnan Chowdhury, reported that the BGB and the coast guard are handling the situation. The passengers were taken into custody and are being housed at a local hotel.
The incident occurred amid escalating violence between Myanmar’s military forces and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State, which has led to significant civilian displacement. Local residents of Saint Martin’s Island reported the boat’s arrival amid the chaos and notified authorities.
Increased tensions along the border
The conflict in Myanmar has also heightened tensions along Bangladesh’s border. Residents in Teknaf were alarmed by the sounds of mortar shells and heavy artillery from across the Naf River. In response, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has ramped up patrols along the 54-kilometer river stretch to prevent further intrusions.
Humanitarian Concerns
As the violence continues, thousands of Rohingyas remain at risk, with many seeking refuge across the border. Bangladesh, already hosting over a million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, faces additional pressure from the ongoing crisis. Local authorities and international organizations are closely monitoring the situation to provide necessary aid and support to those affected by the conflict.
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