Inept Bangladesh army and Bangladesh Navy watched as the Arakan Army seized control of the Naf river trade.
Bangladeshi security forces failed to strengthen security along the border with Myanmar after one of the most powerful ethnic minority armies claimed full control of the frontier.
The Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic militia in Rakhine, announced earlier this week that it had captured the last Myanmar army outpost in the border town of Maungdaw, allowing the group to completely control the northern state.
The Naf River route closed, and trade with Myanmar stopped as the Arakan Army claims taking control of the border.
Members of the Arakan Army of Myanmar have abducted 20 Bangladeshi fishermen along with 15 fishing boats from the Naf River in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.
The three cargo vessels were detained on Thursday en route to Teknaf port from Yangon, Myanmar.
The seizure of Maungdaw town in Rakhine by the Arakan Army has paralysed trade activities at Teknaf land port on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Locals and Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar are in fear amid reports of the Arakan Army’s takeover of the Rakhine State and full control of the 270km Myanmar border with Bangladesh.
Due to security concerns, the Teknaf upazila administration yesterday imposed restrictions on traffic on the Naf, which flows between Teknaf and Myanmar territory.
Boats that carry people and supplies between Teknaf and St Martin’s Island did not operate yesterday, according to Rashid Ahmed, president of the local service trawler owners’ association.
He hopes the restriction will be lifted today.
Faysal Anowar, a resident of Nayapara village, said, “We heard the sound of bombing and shelling coming from across the Naf river in Myanmar for weeks. We worry about the safety of our families.”
As per international media reports, there had been intense fighting between the Myanmar junta and the ethnic armed group Arakan Army. Locals say there has not been any bombing since Sunday, but military planes were frequently flying over the border.
Abdus Shukkur, a fisherman from Sanrang village, claimed that the Arakan Army detained several fishermen from the Naf estuary a few days ago.
“Sometimes they open fire on the Bangladeshi fishermen, saying that we are in their territory. We cannot risk our lives while fishing,” he said.
Maulana Harun Amini, a resident of the Ghumdhum area in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, said he was afraid to go to his farm next to the border.
“Who knows when they will begin fighting again and one of us will become a victim?” he asked.
Contacted, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, “The estuary of the Naf is used by large trawlers that go to the sea. We restricted the movement of those trawlers through that part.”
Abdul Jalil, president of the fishing trawler owners’ association in Teknaf, said despite risks, around 10 fishing trawlers went to the sea via the Naf.
“We are scared. This is our livelihood. That’s why the fishermen are risking their lives,” he said.
BANGLADESH-MYANMAR TRADE DISRUPTED
Jasim Uddin, general manager of Teknaf United Land Port Ltd, said, “The last boat to arrive from Myanmar with goods was a fishing trawler from Yangon on December 7. Currently, four Myanmar trawlers are at the land port jetty. The boatmen are not willing to return.”
UNO Ehsan said the BGB and Coast Guards were on alert to prevent illegal entry to Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Rohingya leaders in Cox’s Bazar are concerned about the long-awaited repatriation process.
“We want to sit with the Arakan Army and talk about our chances of returning to our homeland,” said Kamal Hossain, chairman of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals Representative Committee in Cox’s Bazar.
Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, said people of his community were frequently calling him from Maungdaw township and saying that they were in fear of a crackdown on Rohingyas.
Many international media reported that the Arakan Army claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the territory along the Bangladesh-Myanmer border on Sunday.
AP quoted the Arakan Army as saying that after claiming control over the northern part of Rakhine, it ordered the suspension of transport across the Naf because police and local Muslims affiliated with the army were attempting to escape by boat to Bangladesh.
AP reported, “The rebel group has been accused of major human rights violations, particularly involving its capture of the town of Buthidaung in mid-May, when it was accused of forcing an estimated 2 lakh residents, largely Rohingyas, to leave, and then setting fire to most of the buildings. It was accused of attacking Rohingya civilians fleeing the fighting in Maungdaw in August.”
The movement of all boats between Teknaf and Saint Martin island off the Bangladeshi coast has been suspended from Thursday. And restrictions have been imposed on those traveling along the Naf River, which marks the border of southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar.
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