NN Online:
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said Bangladesh has been actively engaging with both the Arakan Army, a rebel group that now fully controls the Myanmar side of the 271-kilometre shared border, and Myanmar government.
He made these remarks while visiting the border area in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar on Monday. He said, “We have no problems in the border area. All security forces, including the Border Guard Bangladesh, are performing their duties with utmost caution. The focus is on ensuring that law and order remain stable at all times.
“Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s high representative Dr Khalilur Rahman has been continuously monitoring the situation,” he added.
He further mentioned that 50,000 to 60,000 Rohingyas have recently sought refuge in Bangladesh due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State but these people have not yet been registered, and a decision from the higher levels of government is required to address the matter.
“No decision has been made yet on this matter,” he said, adding, “The newly-arrived Rohingyas have faced severe humanitarian issues, with many arriving badly injured, making it difficult to send them back. They are receiving food assistance through various channels.”
The adviser arrived at the BGB’s 2nd battalion headquarters in Teknaf by helicopter at around 11am. He then visited the Naf River area.
In response to a question, he said Teknaf and its surrounding areas are well-known for drug trafficking. He expressed confidence that the flow of narcotics could be gradually controlled and urged for cooperation from all parties along the border to share intel.
Regarding the reopening of the fishing and cattle import corridor in the Naf River, he said it all depends on the situation in Myanmar.
“Occasionally, the sound of gunfire can be heard on our side of the border, and mortar shells are fired on this side. As a result, fishing in the Naf River is not currently safe. If the situation improves, decisions can be made regarding this matter.
“Local farmers are fine with the suspension of cattle imports and there is no shortage of livestock. Once the situation improves, discussions will be held to determine the future of the corridor,” he said.
