An ISPR release has sought to quell speculation and calm nerves around the situation prevailing at the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime boundary adjacent to St Martin's island. The ISPR, or Inter Services Public Relations, is the public communications wing of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. It said in the context of ongoing internal conflicts in Myanmar, the Myanmar military is conducting joint operations against the Arakan Army in Rakhine State. Due to this conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, there have been incidents of unwanted firing on Bangladeshi boats in the Naf River and the adjacent estuary area. BGB Chief orders heightened vigilance along Bangladesh-Myanmar border The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh expressed deep concern and protested the danger posed to Bangladeshi subjects on June 12, 2024. The ISPR release sent today said the Myanmar Navy is positioning near the maritime boundary of Myanmar and the Naf River, near St. Martin's Island, and firing artillery towards the positions of the Arakan Army. At the same time, the Arakan Army is also firing back at the Myanmar Navy. Currently, multiple warships of the Myanmar Navy are conducting these operations on the Myanmar border. The Myanmar Navy is also keeping the Bangladesh Navy informed about its presence in Myanmar’s maritime boundary near St. Martin’s Island. It is noteworthy that the internal conflict in Myanmar continues on the mainland and the adjacent coastal areas. Furthermore, near St. Martin's Island, multiple ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard are regularly patrolling from within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, monitoring the movements of Myanmar’s ships. "As the ongoing internal conflict in Myanmar approaches near St. Martin's, there have been various rumors spread by interested parties on social media regarding the security of St. Martin's. Everyone is requested not to be misled by such rumors," the ISPR said. Read more: Need to find new partners to raise more int’l fund for Rohingyas: PM Hasina to IOM

Winners of electronics brand Vision's two campaigns recently visited St Martin's Island, the only coral island in the country. The 15 winners visited the island with their partners after purchasing LED TV, refrigerator, AC, ovens, washing machines and RO water purifiers. Read:Vision Electronics launches Google-approved Android TV Also, on the occasion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, Vision Smart TV organised the online quiz competition "Vision Prediction Guru." Six winners of the campaign visited St Martin's Island. 

Tourist ships started travelling to St. Martin's island from Cox's Bazar on Tuesday. After a seven-month break the Kerry Cruise and Dine with 310 tourists left Damdamia of Teknaf at 9 am and arrived at St. Martin's dock around 12.30 pm. As soon as they reached the island, locals greeted the tourists with flowers led by St. Martin’s Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmed. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Parvez Chowdhury said that at the beginning of the season, the Kerry Cruise and Dine Ship Authority had been given permission to operate the St. Martin's-Teknaf route on a trial basis. On the first day, 310 passengers reached the island. He added that the island's jetty has been renovated to make it easier for tourists to get on and off. Within a day or two, other ships in this route may also start operating subject to permission. Tabassum Jannat, a student at Sylhet Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, said: "It feels so good to be here, everyone will enjoy the beauty of the coral island again." The hotels and motels on the island have already been set up for tourists. Businessmen involved in the tourism industry have prepared themselves to serve tourists. Besides, the islanders who depend on tourists for their livelihood are now breathing a sigh of relief. Nur Ahmed, chairman of the St. Martin's Union Council, said, “Businessmen and locals have already been requested to provide maximum service and hospitality to the tourists. Moreover, care will be taken to ensure that tourists are not harassed anywhere.” Shah Alam, Teknaf's manager for the cruise ship Kerry Cruise and Dine, said excessive capacity of passengers is not being carried as per the instructions of the concerned authorities and extra ticket price is not being charged from the passengers. "We want tourists to come to the island, to give the tourism industry a chance to develop further through travelling. We expect more tourists to visit the island this year than any other," he added.

Some 300 tourists have got stranded on St Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal due to inclement weather. The authorities concerned have suspended the movement of passenger vessels between Teknaf and St Martin's Island from Sunday afternoon. READ: Cyclone Yaas: Unusual tides destroy Saint Martin's jetty Nur Ahmed, chairman of St Martin's Island union, said “The tourists got stranded due to suspension of the trawler movement and all the tourists on the island are safe. We have informed the local administration about it.” Mohammad Pervez Chowdhury, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said the tourists can return to their respective destinations after the weather improves. READ: Visit Saint Martin, Coral Island, Bangladesh: Piece of Paradise on Bay of Bengal