Teknaf: A clash between Burmese boatmen and Bangladesh stevedores took place at the Teknaf Port in southern Bangladesh near the Burmese border, resulting in ten people from both sides injured, reports a Burmese boatman.

"The clash broke out during the bathing time near a stream in Teknaf on Wednesday evening. In the attack, four Burmese and six Bangladeshis received injuries. Burmese boatmen and Bangladesh workers attacked each other with stones and sticks," he said.

The six injured Bangladeshis were hospitalized in Teknaf but the four Burmese boatmen treated themselves on the boat after the attack.

"Some Burmese boatmen received injuries on their heads and arms but the injuries were minor. After the incident, the injured Burmese boatmen left the jetty for Burma in their machine boats out of fear of attacks by Bangladesh workers," he said.

On the Thursday morning after the incident, a group of Bangladesh workers came to the jetty and attacked some Burmese boats harbored at the jetty with bricks and sticks, breaking some of the boat windows. However, the attack was stopped with the intervention of local businessmen and police.

Another Burmese boat helmsman confirmed the Thursday attack and said that although some boats were damaged no one was injured.

After the incident, transportation at the jetty was stopped for the whole of Thursday because many stevedores were unable to report for work.

The helmsman said, "The problem is now over after some Bangladesh high officials from some business syndicates in the area came to the jetty and solved it. All the men who were involved in the incident agreed not to attack in the future."

This is the first time any fights have broken out between Burmese and Bangladesh boat workers since the jetty was opened by Bangladesh authorities for border trade with Burma.

At least 20 Burmese motor boats, including cargo boats, enter the jetty daily to import Burmese goods to Bangladesh, including timber, fish, rice, and cattle.

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