Saint Martin: The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is setting up a border outpost (BOP) on Saint Martin’s island in Teknaf upazila.

The BOP is being built for the protection of the border, preventing smuggling, illegal intrusion, obstructing Malaysia-bound Rohingyas and other criminal activities in the bordering area, said Lt Col Sarkar Mostafizur Rahman of BGB-2 Teknaf, reports the UNB.

Heavily armed BGB troopers have been deployed on the island, he said, adding that patrolling has been intensified since Sunday morning.

‘The border guards have been deployed for safety reasons at the government’s order,’ said BGB Public Relation Officer Muhammad Mahsin Reza.

Rohigyas were arrested from the island and there have been reports of robbery, he said. 

Lt Col Sarkar Mostafizur Rahman of BGB-2 Teknaf said the border troopers had presence on the island before 1997. ‘The construction of BGB outpost is underway. That’s why we’re patrolling the area. This is part of our regular patrol,’ he said.

Nur Ahmed, a local UP chairman, said BGB members had been patrolling the area since March 30 but on Sunday, a large number of BGB troopers were deployed in the area, creating panic among the residents.

Rabiul Hasan, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said BGB will work alongside Coast Guard members. ‘The construction work of BOP is almost finished.’ 

St Martin’s, an island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, is a popular tourist destination. It is unclear how the latest development will affect the tourism industry.

The island became part of India in 1937 and later of erstwhile Pakistan. It has been Bangladesh’s territory since independence.