Caught between these two bans, the residents of St Martin's say they are grappling with extreme hardship. Over the past two and a half decades, the tourism industry on St Martin's Island has expanded significantly. Caught in the grip of these dual bans, residents of St Martin's say their hardship has only intensified. After the tourism ban, residents came to Cox's Bazar and staged a road blockade in protest, voicing their plight. Meanwhile, various rumours and politically charged speculation about St Martin's future have circulated on social media, further deepening anxiety among locals.
