Myanmar’s provocation seems not to be stopped as even on Saturday gunshot sound was heard on Tumbru border of Ghumdhum union near Ukhia uapzila in Coxbazar.
The fear-jolted people near the border left their residence in search of safe shelter as the sound of gunshot was much greater on Saturday than it was in past few days.
To handle the situation, Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) is on high alert and local administration decided to relocate 70 families living in the border area. The foreign ministry has summoned Myanmar Envoy on Sunday to lodge strong protest and show deep concern on the issue.
The locals said, from Friday morning the sound of gunshot has been heard from the Rakhaine state on the other side of Ghumdhum border situated in Naikhangchari upazila. It has been reintroduced after a gap of just three days. Already local administration has relocated 35 families from the border area.
Khurshid Begum, wife of Nur Hossain living in Hedmanpara area of Betbunia upazila told The Bangladesh Pratidin, they didn’t able to sleep because of the irritating sound of gunshot.
Ali Hossain, inhabitant of Fakirghona area said, they’re afraid of the uncertainties associated with the matter.
Nurul Islam, a farmer of Tumbru area on Ghumdhum border said, they are in panic after hearing the sound of gunshot, as well as the farmers working on the border area are worried about falling in a victim of land mines.
Shamsul Alam, an inhabitant of Tumbru Konarpara Rohingya Camp said, The Rohingyas living in the Zero Point are in fear of uncertain danger.
Dil Mohammad, the chairman of the camp urged the initiatives from international community to solve the problem.
Ghumdhum Union ward member Anwar Hossain said, local people are passing their time in serious panic after the death incidents on Saturday due to mortar shelling and land mine explosion. Moreover, the sound of gunshot has been heard from the morning. In this circumstance, many people are going to their relative’s house.
This incident took place on 9 pm Friday in the Rohingya camp area of Tumbru No Man’s Land. The injured were Sadia Jannat, daughter of Salim Ullah, 10, her wife Sabekur Nahar, 30, Nobi Hossain, son of Syed Karim, 22, Bhulu, son of Karim, 44, Anas, son of Rahim Ullah, 12. They’re all inhabitants of Tumbru No Man’s Land.
On the same day, Thain Chakma, 22, lost one of his legs due to mine explosion in Tumbru border area under Naikhongchari uapazila of Bandarban. He was dead after admitted into Kutupalang MSF Hospital of Ukhia.
Yasmin Parveen Tibrizi, deputy commissioner of Bandarban said, tensed situation is prevailing on Ghumdhum border because of gunshot happening in Myanmar on the other side of the border. Considering the fearsome situation, the center of SSC examinations are also being changed.
Lieutenant Colonel Foyzur Rahman told The Bangladesh Pratidin, one militant group is involved in conflict with Myanmar’s internal forces and the mortars used in those conflicts are flying into the Bangladesh area. In this circumstance, we reinforced safety measure on the border and increased the patrolling and intelligence surveillance. We lodged strong protest to Myanmar’s border forces.
Local representatives said, from August 13, Myanmar’s security forces have been involved in serious conflict with Arakan Army in Rakhaine State, situated on the other side of Tumbru border. The patrolling of three Myanmar ships has been observed near Saint Martin. However, Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guards are also remaining vigilant in the water-border near the island.
@The article appeared on print and online verisons of The Bangladesh Pratidin as the lead news on September 18, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
