Student camp concerns over St. Martin’s situation

Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has expressed deep concern over the regular firing from the border of neighboring country Myanmar on the boat bound for St. Martin recently.

Central President Manjurul Islam and Secretary General Zahidul Islam said in a joint statement on Sunday, ‘From recent newspaper reports, we have come to know that regular firing is being done from Myanmar on Bangladeshi boats plying through the Naf River to Saint Martin Island. This disrupts shipping to St. Martin and disrupts the island’s trade and food supply. We are extremely concerned about the incident of firing from other countries on the independent sovereign state.’

Citing recent incidents, the leaders said, ‘On June 11, 10-12 rounds were fired at a speedboat. A cargo trawler was also fired upon on June 8 and a boat carrying election materials was also targeted on June 5. As a result of the firing from the Myanmar border, the movement of passenger and goods boats between Teknaf and St. Martin Island has been stopped for the past few days, as a result of which more than 10,000 residents of the island are suffering from the shortage of daily necessities.

“There is a shortage of vegetables, eggs and fresh produce and some traders are selling products at double the price. The students of the island are also not able to participate in the examinations, which is creating a bad effect on their education.’

The leaders said, ‘On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s junta forces seized power. Since then, at least 4500 civilians have been killed in their persecution and attacks. More than 25 thousand people have been imprisoned. At least 78,000 homes have been destroyed across Myanmar by the junta’s attacks. Also, the inhumane torture of Muslims in Arakan is still continuing. As a result, incidents such as firing and killing are seen from the border.’