A tense situation is prevailing on the other side of the border, across the Naf River from Coxs Bazars Teknaf on Thursday. Sounds of explosions are rattling across the border.
Locals have reported spotting a Myanmar warship on the other side of Naf River from Teknaf. A renewed fighting on the other side of the Naf river has made people panicked at Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf.
Md Yamin Hossain, Coxs Bazar Additional District Magistrate said, "We are on alert." "A large ship has been sighted on the Naf River and we are aware of reports of explosions."
The ship was seen in the Naf River in the Myanmar border area by several people from Moulvipara in Teknafs Sadar Union from Wednesday afternoon to evening.
Sounds of explosions could be heard across the border starting at 9:00pm. Border residents heard blasts for about three hours. After that, the sounds could be heard intermittently throughout the night and the day. Sounds of explosions were heard from 4:00am to 9:00am on Thursday too, locals said.
Since the morning the vessel has moved further south, taking up a position at a point in the Naf River near the Naikhongdia Point in the Bay of Bengal. Locals reported the ship had continued to fire bullets and mortar shells towards the land.
Abdus Salam, a representative to the Sabrang Union Parishad from Ward No. 9, said, "The situation at the Teknaf border has been relatively normal for the past month. No blasts were heard. But, on June 5, June 8, and June 11, boats from the Myanmar side of the Naf River and the Naikhongdia Point in the Bay of Bengal opened fire on vessels travelling to St Martins Island."
"A Myanmar Navy vessel was spotted in the Naf River on Wednesday afternoon. After that, loud explosions could be heard intermittently across the border in Myanmar on Wednesday night in Teknafs Shah Porir Dwip and its surrounding areas."
Salam said, "Loud explosions from across the border in Myanmar have left houses and structures quaking in the border areas of the Shah Porir Dwip jetty, Jaliapara, Paschim Para, Uttar Para, and the Acharbania."
"Many of the locals spent sleepless nights as the blasts continued. The ship is now at the Naikhongdia Point. The gunfire and explosions continued till 1:00pm."
Md Adnan Chowdhury, Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer, said he had heard reports about loud explosions near the Shah Porir Dwip border area through local public representatives. The ship is on the Myanmar side of the maritime border.
In an emergency meeting of the district administration on Wednesday evening, it was decided that an alternative route in the Bay of Bengal would be used from Thursday to transport goods and a limited number of passengers.
"Around 1:00pm on Thursday, two vessels carrying 30 passengers set off from the St Martins Island jetty for Teknaf." "The two vessels will dock in the Golarkhal area on the western side of Teknafs Shah Porir Dwip Island."
On the other hand, at least four hundred people, stranded in Teknaf for the past week, are waiting for a ship at the sea coast point in the Munder Dale area of Sabrang Union to return to St Martins Island, locals said.
A renewed fighting on the other side of the Naf river has made people panicked at Shah Porir Dwip in Coxs Bazars Teknaf.
Locals said they spent a sleepless night on Wednesday as sounds of heavy explosions from Myanmar reverberated through the settlement all night till 11:00am on Tuesday.
According to media reports, fierce clashes are going on between Myanmar junta forces and rebel Arakan Army in Rakhine State.
Locals said a warship of Myanmar arrived in its water opposite Shah Porir Dwip yesterday afternoon. The explosion started in the early hours of Thursday after its arrival, they added.
The conflict between the Myanmar junta force and the Arakan Army (AA) intensified from the beginning of February. The junta troops had to step back and many fled to Bangladesh due to the heavy intensity of the attacks by the rebel group.
The Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard are aware of the situation and the local administration is watching the developments, he said.
Attempts have been made to contact the BGB and Coast Guard repeatedly, but are yet to respond.
BGB and the Coast Guard are alert about the current border situation. Besides, the administration is also monitoring the situation, he said.
Boat service on the Teknaf-St Martin waterway has been suspended for the past seven days due to gunfire from the Naikhongdia Point.
