Surgery done but Afnan’s condition still extremely critical

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

The condition of Bangladeshi child Huzaifa Afnan, who was injured by a bullet fired from across the Myanmar border, remains critical. The child is currently receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Huzaifa’s uncle, Md Shawkat, said doctors conducted a CT scan late Sunday night and later performed surgery. However, they were unable to remove the bullet. Shawkat said doctors told the family that the child’s condition is extremely critical and that the bullet is lodged inside the head. Attempting to remove it at this stage could be life-threatening, they said.

The child was shot during clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups along the Myanmar border in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The fighting began around 11:00pm on Saturday and continued until about 10:00am on Sunday in the Totar Dwip area on the Myanmar side, adjacent to the Whykong Union border. Continuous gunfire and sounds of explosions were reported during the clashes.

At one stage of the fighting, a bullet fired from across the border struck the child. Huzaifa is a resident of the Teschi Bridge area of Whukong.

Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Biswas confirmed the incident to The Daily Star on Sunday. Speaking later in the afternoon, he said the injured child had been taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

“There were initial reports that the child had died, but that information is not correct,” Alok Biswas said.

Armed robber killed in gang gunfight at Teknaf Rohingya camp

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

A suspected armed robber was killed during a gun attack by a rival gang at the Nayapara Registered Rohingya Camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, police said.

The deceased was identified as Nur Kamal, the leader of a Rohingya-based criminal gang. His body was recovered from the camp on Saturday morning, January 10. Police said the shooting occurred around 1:00am.

The incident was confirmed by Additional Deputy Inspector General Md Kausar Sikder, commanding officer of the 16 Armed Police Battalion. He said a long-standing territorial dispute existed between the Bangladeshi Khalique gang and Nur Kamal’s group.

According to police, members of the Khalique gang launched an armed attack on Nur Kamal, triggering an exchange of gunfire inside the camp. At one point, Nur Kamal was shot and stabbed by his rivals. He was later taken to an NGO-run hospital in the camp, where he died.

Kausar Sikder said both groups had been involved in various criminal activities within the camp for a long time. Nur Kamal was a resident of the Nayapara Rohingya camp.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Islam said police recovered Nur Kamal’s body on Saturday morning, prepared an inquest report at the scene, and sent the body to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

He added that Nur Kamal was accused in at least 11 cases, including murder, robbery, abduction, and drug-related offences.

Fishing trawler sinks off Kutubdia; two fishermen dead, one missing

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

Two fishermen who went missing after a fishing trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal off Kutubdia have been found dead, while one fisherman remains missing. Eight others were rescued alive.

The deceased were identified as Ehsan, 25, the skipper of the trawler from the Amajkhali area of Baraghop union, and Leru from the Ali Akbar Dail area. The missing fisherman is Md Faisal, 12, from the same area.

Officer-in-Charge of Kutubdia Police Station Mahbubul Haque said police were informed about the recovery of two bodies following the sinking. He said one fisherman is still untraced and search efforts are continuing.

The trawler went down about 30 kilometres offshore in the Bay of Bengal. Witnesses said the accident occurred while the fishermen were fishing. Another fishing trawler passing through the area rescued eight survivors, police said.

Local residents and fishermen said the vessel, owned by Kamal Company of Amajkhali under Baraghop union, sank around 3:00am on Friday while fishing. There were 11 fishermen on board, including the skipper. After the trawler capsized, eight fishermen were rescued with injuries and three went missing. Later in the morning, the bodies of two fishermen were recovered, while Md Faisal remains missing.

Trawler owner Md Kamal Saudagar said the vessel regularly operates at sea and the cause of the accident is yet to be known. He said efforts to locate the missing fisherman are ongoing.

Fisherman Wounded in Teknaf as Gunfire Erupts Along Myanmar Border

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

Tension has escalated along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border in Teknaf following reports of gunfire from across the frontier. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials said sporadic shooting has been heard since Friday morning from the Myanmar side near Whykong.

The situation intensified after a fisherman was shot on Thursday night while fishing in the Naf River. The injured man, Md Alamgir, 31, from Balukhali village near the Whykong BGB camp, was admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. Authorities believe the bullet came from across the border.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 64 BGB Battalion in Ukhiya, confirmed the incident. He said rifle fire and occasional loud explosions have been heard from the Myanmar side since Friday morning. Local residents living near the border have been urged to remain cautious, he added.

He said clashes are ongoing across the border and that one of the groups involved is the Arakan Army, though the identity of the opposing side could not be confirmed. BGB personnel have been placed on high alert along the border, and he said he was overseeing the situation from a border outpost.

According to the victim’s family, Alamgir went fishing for fish and crabs in the Naf River on Thursday afternoon with another fisherman. When their boat reached a mid-river area known locally as Bilasi Island, gunfire erupted from the Myanmar side, and a bullet struck Alamgir’s left hand.

His brother, Md Yunus, said Alamgir was rescued immediately and taken first to a hospital in Kutupalong, Ukhiya. As his condition deteriorated, he was later transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Residents in the area said the shooting has created widespread fear. Mohammad Shahid, who lives in Uttarpara near the Whykong BGB outpost, said several loud explosions were heard again on Friday morning. “After a fisherman was injured by gunfire, people here are living in fear,” he said.

Whykong Union Parishad Ward No. 2 member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu said locals are alarmed by the sounds of heavy explosions from across the border and the shooting of a local fisherman. He said BGB members remain deployed and alert to ensure security in the area.

Labourer Dies in Landslide During Illegal Hill Cutting in Cox’s Bazar

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

A labourer was killed early Friday after being trapped under collapsed soil while illegally cutting a hill in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The incident took place around 5:00am in the South Sonaichhari area of Jaliapalong Union. The victim was identified as Md Nurul Amin, 30, of Ward No. 1 of the same union.

Forest officials said the accident occurred during illegal hill cutting linked to an organised soil-trading operation. They also said another labourer died in the same area in 2024 while working for the same group.

Inani Forest Range Officer Firoz Al Amin confirmed the death, saying local residents Helal Uddin and his younger brother Sarwar Alam have long been involved in hill cutting and soil trading. He said Nurul Amin was buried when soil suddenly collapsed during hill cutting carried out under Helal Uddin’s supervision early Friday.

He said a similar fatality occurred in 2024, after which a case was filed against the two brothers. According to him, the Forest Department has filed five cases against them over hill cutting, while the Department of Environment has filed one more. Despite repeated legal actions, they have continued their activities by avoiding forest patrols.

He added that the group usually extracts soil from forest hills and sells it using documents linked to khas land records.

Jaliapalong Forest Beat Officer Roknuzzaman said Helal Uddin was at the site with a mini truck during the soil cutting. When forest officials arrived, Helal fled the scene with the vehicle. He said legal action is being taken.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmed said the labourer’s body was recovered after he was buried under soil during hill cutting. He said legal proceedings are underway in connection with the incident.

Which Four Zones Will St. Martin’s Island Be Divided Into?

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Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

To ensure conservation and sustainable management, a proposal has been prepared to divide St. Martin’s Island, the only coral island of Bangladesh, into four distinct zones. The zoning framework has been outlined in a draft master plan prepared by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The draft master plan was presented on Tuesday (6 January) at a workshop on the St. Martin’s Master Plan held at a hotel in the capital Dhaka. At the workshop, CEGIS Senior Expert H. M. Nurul Islam highlighted various aspects of the proposed plan.

According to the draft master plan, St. Martin’s Island is proposed to be divided into four zones: General Use Area, Controlled Resource Area, Sustainable Use Area, and Restricted Access Area.

General Use Area: Tourism and Settlement under Conditions

In the General Use Area (Zone 1), residential living, tourism activities, infrastructure development, and limited economic activities will be allowed. However, these activities must be conducted in line with environmentally friendly and sustainable development guidelines.

Activities harmful to the environment such as coral collection, pollution, night fishing using artificial lights, and high-speed vehicle movement are proposed to be prohibited in this zone.

Controlled Resource Area: Protective Buffer for Sensitive Zones

The Controlled Resource Area (Zone 2) has been identified as a buffer zone surrounding environmentally sensitive areas. Limited eco-friendly tourism and economic activities may be permitted here.

However, the draft plan proposes to ban illegal resort construction, deforestation, use of harmful agricultural chemicals, and collection of turtle eggs. Restrictions are also proposed on using lights or lighting fires on boats at night.

Sustainable Use Area: Nature Conservation Zone

In the Sustainable Use Area (Zone 3), human intervention is recommended to be kept to a minimum. No new settlements, infrastructure development, or environmentally altering activities will be allowed.

Mangrove forests, lagoons, and turtle nesting sites will fall under this zone and receive special protection. Public access will be limited, and high-speed vehicle movement will be prohibited.

Restricted Access Area: Strictest Conservation Measures

The strictest regulations are proposed for the Restricted Access Area (Zone 4). Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards for a “Strict Nature Reserve,” this zone is planned to be developed as a fully protected area.

Public access will be almost entirely prohibited. Activities such as settlement, resource extraction, fishing within 1,000 meters, causing pollution, or disturbing wildlife are proposed to be strictly banned.

Why Cox’s Bazar Has Never Experienced a Cold Wave

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Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

The cool weather currently affecting Cox’s Bazar is likely to persist for about another week, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. However, despite the drop in temperature, the conditions do not qualify as a cold wave, the department clarified.

According to meteorological records, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Cox’s Bazar was 10.3 degrees Celsius on January 11, 2013. Even then, a cold wave was not declared in the district.

Data preserved since 1948 show that this coastal district has never met the criteria for a cold wave, the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department said.

Meteorologists explained that a cold wave is declared only when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. In Cox’s Bazar, temperatures have never dropped below that threshold.

Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, said the district’s geographical location and proximity to the sea help keep temperatures relatively stable. “Because of the coastal influence, even when winter intensifies, it does not turn into a cold wave,” he said.

On Tuesday, the district recorded a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this year, according to the Meteorological Department. Winds were blowing at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, adding to the more sensitivity of cold.

Doctors have warned that cold-related illnesses may increase during this period.

Sabuktogin Mahmud Shohel, resident medical officer at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, said people should avoid taking antibiotics on their own. “If anyone develops cold-related symptoms, they should not take antibiotics from local pharmacies without prescription. They must consult a registered physician,” he said.

He also advised extra caution for children during winter, saying they should not be taken outside in the morning, evening, or at night unless necessary, and should be kept warm with adequate clothing. Patients with asthma were also urged to take additional precautions during the cold season.