Myanmar deploys more troops, flag meeting today

Cox's Bazar Correspondent: Myanmar has deployed a huge contingent of its army along the Tombru border of Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban, triggering tension along the border.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been put on alert as the volatile situation arose.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) has agreed to hold a flag meeting with BGB amid tension. The meeting is scheduled to be held around 3:00pm at Ghumdhum Border Observation Post (BOP) in Naikhyangchhari, according to Cox's Bazar BGB sector commander Col. Abdul Khalque.

On Friday morning, Myanmar's army and BGP men were seen with heavy weapons at 34 and 35 pillar area in their territory along Tombru border. They were patrolling by several vehicles. More troops were also staying in army posts and bunkers.

On the contrary, Border Guard Bangladesh was on alert in Bangladesh territory.

Sounds of blank shots were also heard from Myanmar part early Friday, triggering panic among Rohingya people who took shelter at 'no man's land' along the border.

Lt Col Manjurul Ahsan Khan, commanding officer of BGB battalion 34 in the district, said there has been prevailing an exceptional situation on the border inside Myanmar. The country's forces are firing blank shots for different reasons. There is nothing to panic over the matter. BGB has been put on alert.

Earlier Thursday, BGB summoned Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka and protested over the army deployment along border, handing over a protest note.

BGB also then urged them for a flag meeting to resolve the volatile situation arisen along the border between the two countries. Later, they responded to the meeting.

 

risingbd/Dhaka/March 02, 2018/Rubel/A K Azad