St. Martin, July 7 (V7N)- The last time boats traveled to St. Martin's Island was on June 22, when two trawlers carrying emergency supplies and a few passengers sailed from Shah Porir Dwip in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf. On the same day, two speedboats brought 15 passengers, including patients, from St. Martin's to Shah Porir Dwip. Since then, no trawler or speedboat has traveled to St. Martin's in the past 14 days, nor has any vessel arrived from Teknaf.

As a result, the threat of a food shortage looms again over the country's only coral island, St. Martin's. Although the administration states that due to the conflict in Myanmar, the long-used boat route has been changed to an alternative route for navigating to St. Martin's, rough seas and adverse weather conditions currently prevent boat travel.

Mujibur Rahman, Chairman of the St. Martin's Union Parishad, reported that two trawlers arrived at St. Martin's on June 22 via an alternative route from Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf. The trawlers carried over 300 gas cylinders, some food items, and a few passengers. Simultaneously, two speedboats left St. Martin's with 15 passengers, including patients, heading to Shah Porir Dwip. No boat has traveled since for 14 days.

He mentioned that due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, on June 1, a trawler carrying goods and ten passengers from Teknaf to St. Martin's was fired upon from the Naikshyongdia area. On June 5, while returning from conducting postponed elections at a center in St. Martin's for the Vice Chairman position of Teknaf Upazila Parishad, election officials and staff were fired upon again at the same point.

On June 8, another trawler was shot at the same point, and on June 11, a speedboat was targeted. These incidents of firing occurred from Myanmar's waters into Bangladesh's waters, but there were no casualties. Consequently, the Teknaf-St. Martin's boat route was closed for safety reasons, leading to a food shortage and hindrances in emergency travel.

The Cox's Bazar District Administration held an emergency meeting on June 12 and decided to use the Bay of Bengal for passenger and goods transport. From June 13, passenger movement began using the Teknaf Sabrang Mundar Dale coast. On June 14, a ship carrying goods traveled from Cox's Bazar city. Limited boat operations were decided for Shah Porir Dwip and St. Martin's as an alternative route, but this has been halted since June 22. The island is heading towards a food shortage, with current supplies lasting only 2-3 more days. Food supplies are urgently needed for the 10,000 residents of the island.

Abdur Rashid, President of the St. Martin's Service Trawler Owners' Association, stated that due to the conflict in Myanmar, the alternative route via Shah Porir Dwip’s Badar Mokam's "Golghara" area is risky as it is in the Bay of Bengal. Additionally, it is now the monsoon season, increasing the risks. Trawler owners or operators are unwilling to navigate this risky alternative route.

Khorshed Alam, President of the St. Martin's Speedboat Owners' Association and Panel Chairman of the St. Martin's Union, reported that since June 22, no speedboats have traveled to and from St. Martin's. The rough sea makes the alternative route unsuitable for speedboats.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Adnan Chowdhury said that permission was given to operate trawlers carrying food and essential goods to St. Martin's via the Teknaf coast of the Bay of Bengal instead of the Naf River to resolve the food crisis. However, no trawler is taking the risk due to the rough seas. They are currently evaluating possible actions.

END/SHM/SMA/