St. Martin Island Becomes an Unsettling Yardstick for Arrival by Arakan Army
A new incident seems to have developed when the Arakan Army, a rebel group from Myanmar, invaded St. Martin Island, which belongs to Bangladesh. Such an intrusion, on the island where entry has been prohibited, does not only set up alarm bells among security experts but government officials alike.
While St. Martin is famous for its untouched beaches and diverse flora and fauna, it remains more than just a tourist site; it happens to be a strategically sensitive location. The presence of the Arakan Army concerned about the affairs of such a sensitive area brings the question of stability to that area and possibly even security to Bangladesh.
For now, a group engaged in armed conflicts in Myanmar's Rakhine State seems to have started extending its ambitions beyond the boundaries of the country. Overall anxieties did change in rather bigger threats than territorial integrity, like an increase in violent incidences or instability in the region.
Bangladesh authorities are now going to have a very much difficult scenario created, because this might escalate very fast if the Arakan Army sets base on the island. Immediate preventive measures should be taken by the government to secure the border from all forms of insurgency before it gets established in such a vulnerable location.
