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Border patrol beefed up following increased Myanmar military presence in frontier


An increased number of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in Bangladesh-Myanmar border following the same move initiated by Myanmar side.

Commander of BGB’s Teknaf battalion Lt Colonel SM Ariful Islam said: “Myanmar military forces have boost up their presence in Mongdu, Buthidong and Rathidong, the villages adjacent to the Bangladeshi border. So, we have strengthened our border patrol to avoid any sort of untoward situation.”

“We have been preparing ourselves as history shows military presence in the Myanmar border means a possible inflow of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh,” the BGB commander added.

Asked whether the Rohingyas were still entering Bangladesh, Ariful replied: “The situation has improved a lot and we push back the refugees who arrive here once in a while.”

“A battalion comprised of 500 BGB personnel has been deployed in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas and their targets are not the Rohingyas,” said Ariful.

Meanwhile, a government official of Bangladesh seeking anonymity said: “Myanmar has been deploying military forces since the October but the number has been increased manifold in recent times.”

“But the Myanmar government has not informed its Bangladeshi counterpart before shooting up its military deployment.”

“According to international law, a country has to inform its neighbouring state before strengthening the former’s border patrol, which has not been done in this case. We have inquired about the issue from government level but they are yet to make any reply,” the official added.

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(c) 2017 Dhaka Tribune

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