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St Martin’s Island, a small landmass of simply 3 sq. kilometres, is positioned within the northeastern Bay of Bengal, roughly 9 kilometres south of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, marking the southernmost level of Bangladesh.
Beforehand, Hasina had additionally accused the US of trying to orchestrate a regime change in Bangladesh throughout a parliamentary session. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Pleasure, recommended that the current protests in Bangladesh have been seemingly instigated by a overseas intelligence company, though he shunned explicitly naming the US. He acknowledged, “I now firmly consider this was instigated by a small group, almost certainly by a overseas intelligence company. I strongly suspect the ISI. There was no purpose for the protests to proceed as a result of the quotas weren’t mandated by our authorities and have been restored by a court docket ruling. Our authorities had lifted the quotas in 2018 or so when the primary quota protests occurred.” America authorities has constantly criticized Dhaka’s human rights report and electoral processes.
What’s the importance of St Martin’s Island?
A vessel leaving St Martin’s Island
Protecting simply three-square kilometres, the island is house to round 3,700 residents who primarily interact in fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting, which is dried and exported to Myanmar.
Not too long ago, the island gained consideration as a result of allegations that the Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia (who was not too long ago freed), had deliberate to promote it to america for the development of a navy base in alternate for electoral help. Nevertheless, the US State Division dismissed these claims, affirming its dedication to respecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty and selling democracy by means of free and truthful elections.
Historical past of
Often called ‘Narikel Jinjira’ or Coconut Island in Bengali, as a result of its abundance of coconut bushes, St Martin’s Island can be known as ‘Daruchini Dwip’ or Cinnamon Island. The island was initially a part of the Teknaf peninsula however was separated when a portion of the peninsula submerged, reworking the southernmost half into an island.
The island has a wealthy historical past relationship again to the 18th century when it was first settled by Arabian retailers who named it ‘Jazira’. In 1900, a British land survey included St Martin’s Island as a part of British India, naming it after a Christian priest known as Saint Martin. Some experiences counsel that the island was named after the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Mr Martin.
In 1937, when Myanmar was separated from British India, the island remained a part of India. Following the Partition of 1947, it got here below Pakistani management and later grew to become a part of Bangladesh after the Liberation Struggle of 1971. In 1974, Bangladesh and Myanmar reached an settlement, affirming the island as Bangladeshi territory.
Maritime tussles with Myanmar
Regardless of the 1974 settlement recognising St Martin’s Island as a part of Bangladesh, there have been ongoing points over the delimitation of the maritime boundary. Bangladeshi fishermen, who use the island as a serious fishing hub, have confronted detentions and warning pictures from Myanmar’s naval forces. Though the island’s possession has not been disputed, the maritime boundary’s delimitation has created tensions, given the island’s strategic location close to the Bay of Bengal.
In 2012, the Worldwide Tribunal for the Regulation of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a landmark judgment affirming Bangladesh’s sovereignty over the island. This ruling had important implications for Bangladesh’s territorial waters and its Unique Financial Zone (EEZ).
Rohingya inflow into Bangladesh
The violent navy crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 compelled over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh, with many in search of refuge within the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp. Given its proximity to St Martin’s Island, there have been experiences of the Arakan Military, a gaggle banned by Myanmar, trying to stake a declare on the island, although Bangladesh has constantly denied these claims.
Sporadic incidents of gunfire between Myanmar’s junta and the Arakan Military have occurred in recent times, prompting the Bangladeshi Navy to deploy warships round St Martin’s Island.
Gentle home of St. Martin’s Island
US-China Tussle
St Martin’s Island has performed a major position in Bangladesh’s politics for the reason that nation’s independence in 1971. Its strategic location close to the Bay of Bengal and its maritime boundary with Myanmar have attracted worldwide curiosity, notably from the US and China, each in search of to strengthen their presence within the area.
In June final 12 months, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alleged that the US had meant to accumulate St Martin’s Island to construct a navy base in alternate for BNP’s electoral victory. She claimed that the BNP, if delivered to energy, would promote the island to the US, a step she vowed by no means to permit whereas in workplace.
Her allegations have been strongly refuted by US State Division spokesperson Matthew Miller, who acknowledged that the claims have been “not correct” and affirmed that “no discussions” about taking up the island had occurred with the Bangladeshi authorities.
With inputs from companies
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