ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Narinjara | Despite mounting tension between Burma and Bangladesh at the scene of a territorial dispute that both countries have sent warships to, border trade between the two countries continues as normal, said a businessman from Teknaf on the Bangladesh border.

He said, "Yes we heard both sides are sending more warships to the border maritime disputed area, but the border trade is still normal and many cargo boats from Burma are coming to Bangladesh."

According to border sources, at least two cargo boats from Burma loaded with timber and rice harbored at the Teknaf port yesterday, while some machine boats from Burma also harbored at the jetty on Shin Ma Pru Island in the mouth of the Naff River.

Residents from both sides also continue to travel between Teknaf and Maungdaw via ferries across the Naff River.

"People on the border were a little anxious when they got the news about the dispute on the maritime boundary, but most people are continuing normally as the problem does not concern them," the businessman said.

People from St. Martin Island, which is very close to the disputed area, are continuing their daily life as normal, according to reports.

Ko Soe Myint, a businessman from St. Martin Island, said, "Some fishermen told me that they saw several big navy ships from Bangladesh and Burma at sea, but they do not know why the navy ships are gathered there."

"Fishing boats at St. Martin Island also left for deep sea waters to fish today, because there are no problems at sea," Ko Soe Myint added.

The businessman said, "The border trade was not harmed yesterday, even though the tension is high at sea, but I do not know what the situation is on the border today."