MOKAMMEL SHUVO, back from Tambru

Hundreds of people who live near the zero line along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ghumdhum of Bandarban’s Naikhongchhari have been staying elsewhere out of fear.

The fight between the Myanmar military and rebel group Arakan Army has worsened along the border.

Hundreds of gunshots and mortar shell explosions are being heard every night and sometimes even during the day, said Shafiqul Islam, a member of No 1 Ghumdhum Union.

“There was a heavy gunfight from 3:00am to 6:00am today [yesterday], he said, adding that a shell of mortar was found in a cropland near Tambru border in the afternoon.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh recovered the unexploded shell.

Shifu Dhar, who lives within 150 yards of the zero line at Hindupara of Tambru, said she felt as if it was an earthquake when the mortar shells started exploding early in the morning.

“We are frightened, but we have nowhere to go. We have been living in constant fear for the last few weeks,” she said.

Noor Mohammad, of Konapara, very close to the border, said he left his house several days ago when the fighting in Myanmar began.

There are around 30 families in Konapara and many of them have taken shelter at their relative’s houses.

“We visit and stay at our houses during the daytime and many of us move elsewhere in the evening,” Noor said.

“My parents don’t want to move from our house in bordering Ghonapara village so I cannot leave,” said Syed Karim.

“Whenever mortar shells explode and gun battles start, we take shelter on the foot of hills.”

Mir Ahmed of Madhyam Para said he moved to another house inside Ghumdhum.

“Who wants to spoil their sleep at nights due to the sound of shelling after working hard all day. So, I have moved to a safer place,” he said.

Risking lives, many still stay in their homes along the border, he said.

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