Tension on border as Myanmar deploys troops, BGB on alert

Cox's Bazar Correspondent: Myanmar has deployed additional forces along Tambru border of Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar announced on loud speakers to move Rohingya people from Zero Point area, triggering panic not only among Rohingyas but also frontier area's Bangladeshi people.

Locals claimed, Myanmar militaries fired at Rohingya people who took shelter at Zero Point around 8:00pm on Thursday.

Considering the situation, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been put on alert.

BGB also urged Myanmar authorities for a flag meeting over their deploying additional troops along the border, BGB said.



Lt. Col. Manzurul Hassan Khan, captain of BGB-34 battalion, said Myanmar deployed troops along Tambru border area of Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban around 8:30am on Thursday, after they threatened Rohingya people to move from there.

He, however, currently sees no tension over the issue along the border.

Quoting Rohingyas and frontier people, Manzurul said, at least 7,000 Rohingya people took shelter at Zero Point after an alleged attack on Myanmar security force's outpost on August 25 last year. From the early of February last, Myanmar forces announced for Rohingyas to move from Zero Point.

On Thursday morning, Myanmar's BGP men threatened Rohingya people on gun point. They also tried to carry out attack on them, crossing barbed wire. They also deployed heavy weapons on different hills in their territory.

However, Myanmar troops removed their heavy weapons from border area after 2:00pm, as BGB was put on alert.

 

risingbd/Cox's Bazar/March 01, 2018/Sujauddin Rubel/A K Azad