Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border trade at the Teknaf land port, a crossing that handles passengers and commerce between Burma and Bangladesh, resumed yesterday after an 80 day suspension, according to passenger Keramat Ali from Teknaf.
“It had been suspended since June 8 because of the government-backed sectarian violence between Rakhines and Rohingyas in Arakan [State].”
At about 10:45am yesterday morning, two trawlers carrying 49 passengers from Burma arrived in Teknaf land port,while 36 Bangladeshi passengers, including boatmen, were travelling to Burma.
For years, residents of both countries have used the Teknaf land port for cross-border travel, but communal violence in Western Burma led to the port’s temporary suspension on June 8.
Nasaka, Burma’s border security force, and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were pleased at the resumption of travel.
FazlurRahaman,an officer of the BGB, said, “We are happy that residents of both countries are able to travel after the sectarian violence.”
“We hope it will be going continuously,” said Zakari, a trader from Teknaf.
Residents of Maungdaw Township will now be able to visitrelatives in refugee camps in Bangladesh, sources said.
Today,around 2:00 pm, Rakhine youthNyoNyo hurled an object at two female Bangladeshi tourists while they walked near the Kambaza bank in Maungdaw. Thewomen said the action proved that Rakhine people are striking out atmembers of theRohingya community who travel outside of their villages, said a source from Maungdaw on the condition of anonymity.
