They said the influx could cause a law and order problem and pose a threat to Bangladesh’s security.
The analysts also called for a smart management borders along with Myanmar to prevent infiltration attempts and illegal crossover in the country.
“Borders along with Myanmar need larger attention to prevent illegal crossover by Rohingya people. It is imperative to maintain public order and internal security,” Major General (Retd) Md Abdur Rashid, a security analyst told The New Nation on Monday.
“The issue is also linked with tackling militancy and terrorism,” he added.
Dismissing the UNHCR’s call to open up Bangladesh’s borders for fleeing Rohingyas, Md Abdur Rashid said, the government should not provide shelter to Rohingyas further in Bangladesh considering their previous activities.
“We provided shelter to Rohingya Muslims on humanitarian ground. But they exploited the facility and involved in drug trade, human trafficking, militancy and other criminal activities ultimately posing a threat to the state security. So, the government should not allow them anymore considering the previous track record,” he added.
When asked, General Rashid said we came to know that the border security agencies have already beefed up their vigilance and patrolling along with Myanmar borders.
“But these measures are not enough to prevent the influx of illegal migrants from Myanmar to Bangladesh. The government should involve other agencies and local communities to dealing with the issue properly,” he said.
General Rashid also urged the regional governments and international community to put pressure on the Myanmar government to settle the issue at their lands rather pushing it to Bangladesh. “They should also intensify pressure on Myanmar government to immediate stop the ongoing violence there,” he added. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal earlier told The New Nation that border security forces have been put on high alert on Myanmar borders so that they can prevent illegal migration by Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh.
“It’s a double edged sword. If you welcome Rohingya refugees as humanitarian ground then the world would applaud you. On the other hand, our experience with Rohingya refugees in the last three decades is less than satisfactory at home and abroad. We cannot forget the two facts,” Major General (Retd.) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Protik, told The New Nation yesterday.
Bangladesh provided shelter to about 5.50 lakh Rohingya refuges who earlier fled from Myanmar to escape oppression and rampant human rights violation in their country.
More than 30,000 Rohingyas have already been displaced from their homes in the wake of ongoing army crackdown and genocide in Myanmar’s Rakhaine province.
“But the irony is none in the world play host to Rohingya refugees. Neither, the international community comes down heavily on Myanmar government for committing the genocide, nor they are welcomed in Bangladesh,” General Ibrahim said. Bangladesh has to decide whether it would provide shelter to the Rohingya refugees or adopt the “push back” policy, he said. General Ibrahim also expects an international outcry over the genocide let loose by the Myanmar army.
