As the fighting between the Arakan Army and the Junta forces in Myanmar's Rakhine state intensified, the sound of mortar shells and gunfire shots caused panic among the people living on the Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island border.
The border residents spent sleepless nights amid the sound of heavy firing across the border on Wednesday (12 June).
"A lot of gunfire was heard on the border at night. Many could not sleep at night,” Teknaf Shahpari Island UP member Abdus Salam said.
Shaheen Alam, a resident of Shahpari Island, said, “I came out of the house after hearing the loud sound of gunfire. There is no way to sleep with such a loud sound of gunfire. I was very scared. If the shells hit our side of the border what will happen to the border dwellers?”
“People are panicking due to the loud sound of firing across the border. We have learned that the fighting is intensifying on the other side, as a result of which infiltration may occur across the border, so the border guards are on high alert,” said a government official wishing to maintain anonymity.
"The sound of Myanmar's gunfire is making the people worry. Every half an hour, the sound of gunfire can be heard from the other side of the border," said another local.
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard have increased day and night patrolling on the Naf River and border area.
"Along with strengthening the BGB patrol on the border, we are on alert to prevent the infiltration of Rohingyas on the border," said Teknaf-2 BGB Commander Lt Colonel Md Mohiuddin Ahmed.
