Misinformation sparks confusion about Saint Martin’s, authorities clarify

Widespread misinformation surrounding Saint Martin’s, Bangladesh’s only coral island, has triggered public confusion, with officials dismissing claims that the island is being handed over to a foreign power or converted into a military base.

For months, misleading posts, videos and political statements circulating on social media have alleged foreign control or militarisation of the island.

Edited images of warships, old videos from joint military drills and night-time visuals showing fire or light have been falsely portrayed as evidence of foreign military activity.

Authorities say these claims are entirely baseless and unsupported by facts.

The speculation escalated following the government’s restriction on tourism to protect Saint Martin’s fragile environment and biodiversity.

Lieutenant Commander M Mohiuddin Zaman, Commander of the Navy’s forward base on the island, said,”Saint Martin’s has an estimated population of around 11,000. Alongside the Navy, the Coast Guard, BGB and police are responsible for security here. There is a lot of propaganda suggesting the island is being taken over by another country. These claims rely on edited images or videos, often taken from joint exercises conducted with foreign navies,” he said.

He explained that bilateral and multinational exercises are standard practice worldwide to enhance mutual understanding and improve operational standards. “Our Navy operates at an international level. Showing exercise footage and claiming the island is being handed over is completely baseless,” he added.

Saint Martin’s lies within Bangladesh’s eastern water area, where several naval ships remain deployed at all times, he said.

Under international maritime law, Bangladesh exercises authority over 12 nautical miles of territorial sea, 24 nautical miles of contiguous zone and an exclusive economic zone extending up to 200 nautical miles.

Navy personnel carry out patrol different sections of the island on foot and even use hired wooden boats for sea patrols nearby Island to detect illegal transport, banned fishing gear and suspicious activities.

Recent operations have also focused on humanitarian rescues and law enforcement at sea, said the navy official.

“The reality is this island is not being seized. Regular and lawful security operations are in place solely to protect the environment, people and sovereignty of Bangladesh," he added.

Officials urged people including tourists to rely on verified information from official sources and to avoid spreading unverified reports that could fuel fear and confusion.

Visiting the island the correspondent found the jetty area comes alive as fishermen set off toward deep waters in large boats in the morning.

Across the island, residents were seen engage in farming, drying and packing dry fish, tending coconut groves, running small shops and operating eateries.

In the current tourism season, an average of around 2,000 visitors arrive daily following regulations by ship and return after their stay.

Hotels, restaurants, boat services and local souvenir outlets remain busy, reflecting steady tourism-driven livelihoods.

Security personnel from the Navy, Coast Guard and BGB maintain a visible presence from the jetty to various parts of the island to ensure safety and order.

In surrounding waters and the deep sea, several Bangladesh navy and coast guard vessels were seen remain deployed to safeguard maritime boundaries.

Local residents and visitors say they did not watch any abnormal activities that may restrict their movements, limited beach access or a decline in tourism-related business.

“Our ancestors settled here long ago. The Navy and other law enforcement and security agencies have always been on duty. There is no question of any foreign force coming here,”said local fisherman Md Ayatullah.

Touhid Hossain, a dried fish trader near the jetty, said these claims are completely false.

Another resident Abul Kalam said, “Saint Martin’s is part of Bangladesh and will remain so. We know these rumours are untrue.”

Authorities say the recent rise in misinformation coincides with steps taken to conserve the island’s environment.

Covering only about eight square kilometers, Saint Martin’s is an ecologically sensitive coral island.

Excessive tourism, plastic waste, coral extraction, artificial lighting and noise pollution have caused serious harm to biodiversity, affecting marine turtles, shells and red crabs.

Sources at the Bangladesh Navy said the island’s location near international maritime boundaries and key shipping routes makes it strategically important.

For that reason, the Bangladesh Navy maintains year-round deployment and 24-hour radar surveillance.

Typically, several naval vessels remain stationed in adjacent waters while day-and-night foot patrols continue on land.

Through these measures, authorities monitor illegal entry, banned fishing nets and suspicious movement.

Over the past month alone, nearly 400,000 metres of illegal current nets were seized.

Beyond security, Bangladesh Navy supports local welfare, said Lieutenant Commander M Mohiuddin Zaman.

He said the island’s 20-bed hospital lacks sufficient doctors and equipment, prompting the Navy to organise free medical camps on regular basis.

During natural disasters, such as the cyclone on May 25 last year, naval teams distributed relief, food and clothing. In maritime accidents, including recent tourist vessel fires in Cox's bazar, rapid rescue operations were carried out.

The Navy has also conducted operations to prevent people from attempting dangerous sea journeys, rescuing women and children from trafficking networks, he added.