Because the protest escalated and demonstrators marched into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence, she had no alternative however to flee Bangladesh. Hasina has sought refuge in India. Lately, the media has retrieved her undelivered speech, the final tackle she meant to offer to the protesting college students however by no means delivered.
In a portion of her unrendered speech, Sheikh Hasina asserted that her authorities might have remained in energy if she had handed over St. Martin’s Island to the USA. The timing of Hasina’s remarks raises questions on why she selected to convey up the sovereignty of this strategically important island situated within the Bay of Bengal amid ongoing protests in opposition to her management.
Why Is St. Martin’s Island In Highlight
The contentious island is a small coral island within the northeastern a part of the Bay of Bengal. Positioned roughly 9 kilometres south of Bangladesh’s southernmost peninsula, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf, close to Myanmar.
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St Martin’s Island lately got here into the highlight amid allegations that the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP), below former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had plans to promote the island to the USA for the development of a army base.
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The alleged deal was reportedly meant to safe U.S. help for the BNP in profitable the upcoming elections.
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The island, generally known as ‘Narikel Jinjira’ or Coconut Island in Bengali, is known as for its ample coconut timber. Additionally it is referred to as ‘Daruchini Dwip,’ which interprets to Cinnamon Island.
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That is Bangladesh’s solely coral island.
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The island covers three sq. kilometres and is house to roughly 3,700 residents.
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The inhabitants primarily interact in fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting, with the seaweed being dried and exported to Myanmar.
St Martin’s Geopolitical Significance
The island is in proximity to the Bay of Bengal and shares the maritime boundary with Myanmar; this strategic placement has intensified its demand, particularly among the many US and China, as they’re eyeing strengthening their presence within the area.
In June of the earlier 12 months, Sheikh Hasina accused the USA of making an attempt to acquire St. Martin’s Island and set up a army base there in change for a Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP) electoral victory.
She additional claimed that the BNP would promote the island to the US if elected. Hasina acknowledged that her authorities would stay in energy even when St. Martin’s Island have been leased out, however emphasised that she would by no means allow such an motion whereas she was in workplace.
“I’ve no intention to go to energy by promoting the nation’s property,” a report by Prothom Alo English quoted Sheikh Hasina final 12 months.
She added, “BNP got here to energy in 2001 by pledging to promote gasoline. Now they need to promote the nation. They need to come to energy by pledging to promote St. Martin’s island.”
Historical past Of St Martin’s Island
The island’s historical past dates again to the 18th century, when it was first settled by Arabian retailers who named it ‘Jazira.’ In 1900, a British land survey workforce integrated St. Martin’s Island into British India, naming it after a Christian priest, Saint Martin. Nonetheless, some experiences recommend the island could have been named after Mr. Martin, the Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong on the time.
In 1937, the coral island remained below British India’s management following Myanmar’s separation. It stayed below Indian administration till the 1947 partition, after which it grew to become a part of Pakistan.
Following the 1971 Liberation Conflict, the island was integrated into Bangladesh, in line with the Day by day Star. In 1974, Bangladesh and Myanmar formally agreed that the island would belong to Bangladesh.
