Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud. Photo: Collected
The return of 264 Myanmar Border Security Police (BGP), customs, and immigration officials to their homes seems to be delayed.
The reasons for the delay are not clear. The Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB), Deputy Commissioner, and Superintendent of Police in Cox’s Bazar could not explain the reason for the delay. A naval vessel from the Myanmar Navy has anchored near Cox’s Bazar to repatriate the 254 personnel.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Monday that members of the BGP, army, and others who have taken shelter in the country will be sent back to Myanmar soon.
“That's our priority (to send back BGP). Both (Bangladesh and Myanmar) sides reached a consensus that they will be sent back soon,” he told journalists at the foreign ministry.
The foreign minister said Myanmar wants to take their security personnel back, and they are working on it.
“I don't want to share any specific date. That's confidential as security issues are involved. There is no scope for any hide and seek,” he remarked.
He said Dhaka never wants to see Bangladesh's security being compromised due to Myanmar's internal conflict.
The foreign minister said the Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka was summoned, and a strong protest was lodged.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh authorities have listed the names and identities of the personnel and are supposed to hand over the detailed lists to Myanmar authorities.
Many of the personnel do not have their ID cards and Batch Numbers of the Myanmar Tatmadaw soldiers and BGP combatants. Some of the civilians do not have any clear identities.
The Myanmar forces and civilian officers fled their posts when the advancing rebel Arakan Army (AA) engaged in a fierce firefight with the Myanmar military forces near the Bangladesh-Myanmar zero-line.
It is not clear what happened that caused the soldiers to escape from Rakhine State and take shelter in Bangladesh.
However, it could be understood that the government soldiers and officers will be treated as enemies, and it is unlikely they would be taken as prisoners. In fear of their lives, they fled to escape from the wrath of the advancing rebels.
The government said the personnel had surrendered and were disarmed. The weapons were seized, registered with BGB, and kept in the armory section for safe custody.
Officials and NGOs working in Rohingya camps in Ukhiya estimate that around 14,000 Rohingya are waiting to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. BGB has increased patrolling of the Naf River to check the infiltration of people fleeing Rakhine State.
BGB Cox’s Bazar Commander Lt Col Mohammad Saiful Islam Chowdhury reiterated that border guards have intensified river patrol and foot patrol after 22 Rohingya returned from Myanmar with firearms and weapons.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram Division Tofayel Islam, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nure Alam Minar arrived from Chattogram to review the situation in Ukhiya, which arose from the recent conflict in Rakhine.
They were accompanied by Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner Shaheen Imran and Cox’s Bazar Police Chief Mahfuzul Islam. However, the details of their senior officials’ visit could not be ascertained.
Sources across the border in Rakhine State reported that the Arakan Army, last week, captured the ancient city Mrauk-U, the former capital of Rakhine's ancient dynasties. The ancient capital is 100 km southeast of Teknaf.
The rebels seized control of Mrauk-U by defeating the Myanmar army’s 540th Light Infantry Battalion, as well as the 377th and 378th Infantry Battalions, which were stationed there. The collapse of that 31st police battalion indicates that AA now has full control over Mrauk-U.
Furthermore, AA fighters successfully sank three Myanmar Navy combat vessels navigating the riverway and managed to inflict significant damage on another vessel in Rakhine State.
After the fall of Mrauk-U, the Rakhine State capital Sittwe is not very far. The Sittwe is likely to fall under the rebel's assault.
A statement from the rebel alliance further said that the Myanmar military regime is intensifying attacks on civilians, including women and children, in areas where resistance has gained strength across Myanmar.
Such actions blatantly violate the Geneva Conventions and constitute clear instances of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Alliance concluded.
Messenger/Disha
