17 Rohingya bodies recovered from Naf
News Desk :
Seventeen more bodies of Rohingya, including children, have been recovered from the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, following a boat capsize as they fled ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and the armed forces in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
The burial process is underway with the help of local administration.
From Wednesday morning to noon, locals recovered the 17 bodies from three points on ShahPori Deep in Teknaf.
The bodies are being buried in local graveyards with the assistance of mosque-madrasa and school-madrasa students.
Mohammad Salman, a resident of ShahPori Deep involved in the burial process, said: “We have already completed the burial of four bodies, and the work for the others is ongoing.
“Additionally, another team is burying seven more at Dangapara graveyard. We are doing this work solely to please Allah,” he added.
On Tuesday, the bodies of nine Rohingya, including children, were recovered from the sea in Habirchara and Razarchara points of Teknaf Sadar Union.
Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Osman Gani, confirmed the recovery of the bodies from the Naf River. On Tuesday afternoon, two boats carrying Rohingya capsized in the sea off the coast of Teknaf while fleeing from Myanmar.
The OC said: “Fishermen and locals have recovered 17 more bodies today following the boat capsize incident. The bodies are being handed over to relatives who come to claim them, while arrangements are being made for the burial of the others.”
Abdul Mannan and Abdus Salam, UP members of ShahPori Deep in Teknaf, said: “We are making local arrangements for their burial in consultation with the police and BGB. Additionally, five more bodies were recovered on Tuesday.” Intense clashes are ongoing between Myanmar’s separatist group Arakan Army and the country’s military.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard have increased patrols on the Naf River and border roads from Hwaikyang to ShahPori Deep, spanning 54 kilometers, and remain prepared for any situation.
Md Islam, a resident of the Teknaf border area, said: “Heavy shelling sounds have been heard from the border since Wednesday afternoon. The loud noises from the shelling on the other side have been shaking the border area despite the rain.”
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Commander of Teknaf-2 Battalion, said that security has been heightened to prevent illegal crossings through the border.
He said: “Locals have recovered the bodies of the Rohingya floating in the Naf River. Since the conflict in Myanmar is still ongoing, we remain vigilant at the border to prevent any infiltration.”
