Saint Martin’s ship trips suspended for Myanmar unrest

Tourists ships of Teknaf-Saint Martin route.

Cox’s Bazar, Feb 7 - The local administration has suspended the movement of tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route from February 10 until further notice due to unrest along the Myanmar border.

Cox's Bazar Additional District Magistrate Yamin Hossain confirmed the matter on Wednesday night.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said all ships will be able to operate on the Teknaf-St Martin’s route til Friday (February 9).

Although the movement of tourist ships from Teknaf will be closed, the movement of ships from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar will continue, he added.

Meanwhile, tension is increasing on the Naikhongchhari border in Bandarban as the violent bconflict in Myanmar has not stopped. Firing is still going on on the other side of the border.

Locals are fleeing their homes in panic as gunfire has increased in the border areas of Ghumdhum and Tumbru over the last few days. In the last few days of conflict inside Myanmar, life on the other side has come to a standstill, and local residents are living in fear.

After inspecting the border situation on February 6, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin urged locals to remain alert in the Ghumdhum border area of Naikhongchhari as well as to go to the shelter centres. BGB’s Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui also urged the border residents to go to safe shelters. - UNB