Photo: Messenger
Amid the clashes between armed rebels and military forces in Myanmar, bullets fired from the country have landed in Hoikyang of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, causing distress among locals. Gunshots and mortar shells have echoed through Teknaf’s Hoikyang since early Saturday morning, renewing panic in the area.
Sirajul Mustafa, a member of the Hoikyang Union Parishad (UP), reported that four bullets struck a shop on the Myanmar border early Saturday, with two more shots hitting houses along the highway. Additionally, bullets have damaged agricultural land, exacerbating fears among residents.
Confirming the situation, Hoikyang UP Chairman Noor Ahmed Anwari stated, “Incessant firing and mortar shells are being heard from the Myanmar side.
However, we are on alert to prevent any unauthorised border crossings into Bangladesh.”
Meanwhile, in the border area between Damdamiya and Jadimora villages of Hnila Union in Teknaf Upazila, mortar shells and gunshots from Myanmar have residents on edge. The ongoing disturbances have created a sense of urgency and concern among those living along the Laldia border.
Mohammad Ali, a member of the Hnila Union, provided details of the escalating situation, stating, “From 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., mortar shelling and gunfire occurred in the Zambonia, Raimbbil, Perangpuru, and Kainbanya areas of Myanmar, opposite the Laldia border.”
In response, Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed, the captain of Teknaf-2 BGB, commented, “Suddenly, the sound of mortars and gunshots is emanating from different borders of Myanmar. However, the Teknaf border is under strict surveillance by the BGB.”
Since the night of February 2, Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) has been engaged in combat with the insurgent group Arakan Army across the Naikhyongchari border. The Arakan Army has reportedly defeated the BGP, capturing the Tumbru Right Camp and Dhengibnia border post. Incidents of shelling and mortar fire between the two sides have persisted since last Sunday, starting at three o’clock in the morning.
Tragically, last Monday, two individuals lost their lives when a mortar shell from Myanmar struck a kitchen in Jalpaitli village of Ghumdhum union in Naikhyongchari. One victim was a Bangladeshi woman, and the other was a Rohingya man. Additionally, 330 individuals, including Myanmar army personnel, border guards, and customs officials, entered Bangladesh and are currently in BGB custody. Efforts are underway to repatriate them to Myanmar, either by air or river transport.
Furthermore, the police have requested a 10-day remand to interrogate the 23 Rohingya individuals arrested with weapons. Shamim Hossain, officer-in-charge of the Ukhia police station, stated that the interrogation aims to uncover the source of the weapons. Last Tuesday, 23 Rohingyas were apprehended with weapons in the Rahmat Beel area and subsequently handed over to the Ukhia police station on Friday. A case has been filed by the BGB at the police station.
Amidst the ongoing border tensions, hundreds of fish hatcheries have been left unattended for the past week, leaving the farmers of Teknaf border villages in a difficult situation. Unable to harvest shrimp, their livelihoods are at risk, and they fear significant losses if they cannot tend to the fish in time.
Ashraful Islam Bahadur, President of the Teknaf Unchiprang Fishery Association, expressed concern, stating, “Many members of our association are unable to collect shrimp due to border tensions, putting them at risk of heavy losses. The constant firing of bullets, artillery, and mortar shells from Myanmar poses a threat to our lives.”
Delwar Hossain, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Teknaf, highlighted the scale of the issue, revealing, “There are a total of 427 shrimp hatcheries in Teknaf, with 842 farmers associated with them. We have requested that the BGB allow at least one person to visit the hatcheries. Otherwise, there will be huge losses if the fish die.”
Messenger/Disha
