Tension and fear at the Teknaf border

Locals and Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar are living in fear amid reports that the Arakan Army has taken control of Rakhine State and the 270 km Myanmar-Bangladesh border. Due to security concerns, the Teknaf upazila administration imposed restrictions on traffic along the Naf River, which separates Teknaf from Myanmar. Boats transporting people and supplies between Teknaf and St. Martin's Island were not operating 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’ve been hearing bombings and shelling from across the Naf River in Myanmar for weeks, and we are worried about the safety of our families." International media reports indicate ongoing heavy fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army. Locals note that although bombing ceased on Sunday, military planes frequently fly over the border.

Abdus Shukkur, a fisherman from Sanrang village, claimed that the Arakan Army had detained several fishermen from the Naf estuary recently. "They sometimes fire at Bangladeshi fishermen, saying we are in their territory. We cannot risk our lives while fishing," he said.

Maulana Harun Amini, a resident of Ghumdhum in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, expressed his fear of going to his farm next to the border. "Who knows when fighting will erupt again and one of us will become a victim?" he questioned.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin explained that the Naf estuary is used by large trawlers heading to the sea, which is why restrictions on their movement were imposed. Abdul Jalil, president of the Teknaf fishing trawler owners' association, said that despite the risks, around 10 fishing trawlers ventured to sea through the Naf River. "We are scared, but this is our livelihood. That’s why the fishermen are risking their lives," he added.

TRADE BETWEEN BANGLADESH AND MYANMAR HALTED

Jasim Uddin, general manager of Teknaf United Land Port Ltd, reported that the last boat to arrive from Myanmar with goods was a fishing trawler from Yangon on December 7. Currently, four Myanmar trawlers are docked at the land port jetty, but the boatmen are unwilling to return.

UNO Ehsan stated that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guards are on high alert to prevent illegal entry into Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Rohingya leaders in Cox's Bazar are concerned about the stalled repatriation process. "We want to sit with the Arakan Army and discuss 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 members of his community frequently call him from Maungdaw township, expressing fears of a crackdown on Rohingyas.

Several international media outlets have reported that the Arakan Army claimed to have captured the last army outpost in Maungdaw, gaining full control of the area along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Sunday. The Arakan Army also announced that, after taking control of northern Rakhine, they had suspended transport across the Naf River to prevent police and local Muslims affiliated with the army from fleeing to Bangladesh.

The Arakan Army has faced accusations of major human rights violations, including forcing approximately 200,000 Rohingyas to flee Buthidaung in May and setting fire to most of the buildings there. The group has also been accused of attacking Rohingya civilians trying to flee the fighting in Maungdaw in August.