In the ongoing conflict between the armed forces and insurgent groups in Rakhine State, Myanmar, amidst heightened tensions at the border, the district administration has decided to reopen five primary schools in the Noyakhali Upazila from Wednesday (February 28th), following nearly 23 days of closure.
Residents near the border report that after several days of calm, gunfire, mortar shellings, and the sounds of heavy weapons were heard intermittently from Saturday night at 9 PM until Monday morning at 9 AM in several places in Rakhine State.
Especially in the areas bordering Bandarban, such as Noyakhali, Palongkhali in Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf Sadar, Hwaikhyang, Hnila, and Sabrang unions, gunfire has been heard sporadically. However, there is no panic.
Since the night of February 2nd, clashes between Myanmar’s insurgent group Arakan Army and the Border Guard Police (BGP) have started across the border from Tumbroo Right and Left camps. After two to three days of fighting, the BGP took control of Tumbroo Right camp and Dokhibania border outpost from the insurgents. Subsequently, clashes erupted towards Ukhiya and Teknaf.
The Chairman of Palongkhali Union (UP) in Ukhiya, Mr. M. Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, stated that the border situation in his union was calm for 8 to 10 days. Gunfire was heard last Monday. However, the situation is somewhat normal.
Similarly, Nur Ahmed Anowary, Chairman of Hwaikhyang Union Parishad, stated that the border situation was good for several days. Now, the sounds of mortar shells and gunfire are audible.
Mr. Adnan Chowdhury, the UNO of Teknaf Upazila, stated that due to internal conflict in Myanmar, gunfire and intense sounds of battle are occasionally heard across the border. Due to the volatile situation, the patrols of BGB, Coast Guard, and Police have been intensified.
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mahiuddin Ahmed, the commander of the Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, informed journalists that alongside monitoring the situation in Myanmar, the BGB members are vigilant to prevent Rohingya infiltration. Already, 79 Rohingyas have been apprehended and sent back to Myanmar during the infiltration period.
On February 5th, mortar shells from Myanmar fell in Jolpai Tali village of Noyakhali Upazila, killing one Bangladeshi woman and one Rohingya man. That day, considering security concerns, it was announced that five government primary schools in the border area of Ghumdhum Union of Noyakhali Upazila, including Baishpari Government Primary School, Bhojvania Government Primary School, Tumbroo Government Primary School, West Kul Tumbroo Government Primary School, and South Ghumdhum Government Primary School, would be temporarily closed.
District Magistrate Shah Mozahid Uddin of Bandarban informed that with the situation on the border returning to normalcy, five primary schools will be reopened from the coming Wednesday.
