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Amid the ongoing conflicts along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, 64 more Myanmar forces and border guards have taken shelter in Bangladesh till Wednesday noon, taking the total number to 328, said BGB sources.
A total of 328 Myanmar forces, including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials, have taken shelter in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The 64 forces entered Bangladesh today (Wednesday) with arms through Whaikhong at Teknaf border. The BGB disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, he said.
BGB’s newly appointed director general (DG) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Wednesday visited Tumbru and Ghumdhum border areas and exchanged views with on-duty border guards.
At that time, the BGB chief inquired about the health condition of the members of BGP, Myanmar army, immigration and other law enforcement agencies and visited the injured persons in the hospital.
While talking to the reporters, Maj Gen Ashrafuzzaman said that the border guards are showing highest patience and trying to face the situation giving importance to international relations with Myanmar as directed by the prime minister.
He asked the BGB members to stay alert and discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and professionalism to protect the country’s sovereignty and independence.
“We gave them (Myanmar forces) shelter and food whose refuge in Bangladesh. Discussions are going on between the officials of the two countries to send them back as soon as possible. Our home and foreign ministries are on parley with the Myanmar authorities. We have also talked with the distracted Myanmar soldiers, who also want to go back quickly,” he said.
“In no circumstances, we will allow any more Rohingya to enter Bangladesh territory. The situation of the territory is completely under control of BGB,” he added.
Across the Ghumdhum union of Bandarban’s Naikhongchari, Bangladeshis have spent sleepless night in fear and terror amid clashes and gunfire in Myanmar. The sounds of bullets and mortar shells are heard intermittently. Many have left their homes in fear and panic and have taken refuge at shelter home, the local people and journalists said.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at a press conference on Wednesday said that no new Rohingyas will be allowed to enter Bangladesh.
He said, “We once liberally opened the borders. Now there is no more opportunity to show that kindness. Rohingyas have become a burden for us. International aid that was there for them has decreased a lot. How long will we bear this burden in such a situation?”
A Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man were killed following an explosion of a mortar shell at a house in Jolpaitoli under Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban on Monday.
Besides, the academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila have been suspended.
