Photo : Messenger
As tension along the restive border of Myanmar mounts following an unprecedented ethnic conflict in the neighbouring country, the junta government after losing control of the Rakhine region to the Arakan Army (AA) is now desperate to drive the Rohingya people out of Myanmar.
This time, racial hatred is being spread in the country under government sponsorship. Such information has emerged in a report from Myanmar’s local media outlet, The Irrawaddy.
In such a situation, Bangladesh may again be under threat from the infiltration of Rohingyas, as concerned individuals believe. However, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has already strengthened security on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Nevertheless, concern has increased recently as five Rohingyas, including a woman who was shot, crossed into Bangladesh.
According to various sources related to the border area, there is strict security on the Bangladesh part of the border, but the Myanmar part is completely unprotected. Consequently, if Myanmar’s junta government begins to persecute the Rohingyas, they can again enter Bangladesh at any time.
Locals have informed that many residents of Rakhine state have taken refuge in boats on the Naaf River border amid ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s army and the armed Arakan Army. Gunfire was heard in Teknaf’s Shahpari Island, Hnila, and Huaikong areas last Friday and Saturday, coinciding with clashes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State’s Maungdoo city and neighboring areas.
Lieutenant Tahsin Rahman, spokesperson for the Coast Guard of Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar, said that it is unknown how many citizens of Myanmar are in the river that flows between the two countries. However, clashes are taking place in Megichong, Kadirbil, Nurullahpara, Mangala, and Fadongcha,
Nafpura areas around Mongdu city. He noted that Rohingyas may infiltrate again in such an incident.
Teknaf-2 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) captain Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed mentioned that due to internal problems in Myanmar, there are reports of intermittent firing between the two groups. BGB is on maximum alert, including strengthening patrols at the border to prevent Rohingya infiltration.
Sabrang UP Chairman Noor Hussain told The Daily Messenger, “Heavy gunfire was heard since 9 am on Sunday, and the locals spent a sleepless night.” He added, “BGB and Coast Guard are always ready to prevent Rohingya infiltration. Besides, our local public representatives are also cooperating with them.”
Meanwhile, according to Myanmar’s The Irrawaddy report, three years after the military coup in Myanmar, the country’s junta government recently faced the biggest armed resistance in history. The junta forces have been disoriented by the intense attack by the fighters of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, an alliance of three rebel groups. The junta authorities have started spreading hatred against the Rohingya in the region after the recent crushing defeat by the Arakan Army, a member of the insurgent coalition in Rakhine state.
Anti-Rohingya posters, banners, and leaflets are being distributed in the majority ethnic Bama cities, including Myanmar’s former capital city of Yangon and one of its largest cities, Mandalay. Through these posters and leaflets, ethnic Rohingyas are being called for boycott. Rohingya-owned shops, hotels, and restaurants are being urged not to be patronised. Additionally, Rohingyas living in these cities are being told to return to their home state of Rakhine.
The Irrawaddy quoted local residents as saying that since last Monday (February 12), posters have appeared on signs in Rohingya-owned shops and restaurants, as well as on street lampposts and electricity poles in cities such as Yangon and Mandalay. "Avoid any Rohingya-owned businesses in Rakhine to condemn the Arakan Army," says a poster on a lamppost in Yangon.
Meanwhile, due to the conflict in Myanmar, villagers fear attacks on the Naikshyongchari border. The previously tense border situation in Bandarban has somewhat calmed after a prolonged battle between the country’s army and insurgents in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. However, locals still harbor fears. They worry that the country’s army may launch airstrikes again in rebel-held areas across the border.
On Sunday, it was learned that many of the people who had taken refuge in the homes of distant relatives are still afraid to return to the border areas after speaking with several local representatives from Ghumdhum, Tumbru, Phultali, and Acharatali areas.
They told The Daily Messenger that although there was no sound of gunfire during the day, gunshots could still be heard across the border after 10 pm. As
Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) has withdrawn from the two camps, the Arakan Army is now in control.
Local UP member Dil Mohammad Bhutto informed The Daily Messenger that the Myanmar Army has no chance to come here by land to retake the camp and attack the Arakan Army. They can only launch airstrikes to regain control of the camp. There is a tense situation in the border area.
Mahmudul Hasan, a local journalist at the Ghumdhum border, said the Myanmar army may launch an airstrike on the rebel group to retake the camp, the effects of which could be seen across the border in Bangladesh.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Shah Mujahid Uddin told the media that the border situation is much better now. Law and order forces, including Bangladesh Police and BGB, are working in coordination with public administration. BGB and police personnel are on high alert to prevent border infiltration.
It should be noted that Myanmar is a country of many ethnic groups. About 135 ethnic groups live in the country. Among them, the main ethnic group is Bamar. Other ethnic groups include the Shan, Karen, Mon, Wa, and Rakhine or Rohingya. Bamars are also known as Burmans or Burmese.
The census shows that Burmese constitute 68 percent of the total population, while the remaining 32 percent belong to other communities. Burmese have the largest number and influence in the ruling party and the army. It is with the aim of maintaining that influence that other ethnic groups are oppressed and killed. The ethnic conflict started from opposition to this oppression.
Ethnic hatred has become widespread in recent years, reducing opportunities for democracy in Myanmar, which led to the Rohingya genocide in 2017 and the displacement of one million Rohingya who sought shelter in Bangladesh.
The Arakan Army originates from Myanmar’s Rakhine state but has migrated to the eastern part of Myanmar in large numbers. They are currently the most heavily armed insurgent group in Myanmar. According to the Arakan Army, founded in 2009, they are fighting for the sovereignty of the multi-ethnic Arakanese in Rakhine State. The Arakan Army also includes Rohingya rebels.
Messenger/Disha
