Staff Reporter :
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday said, repeated airspace violation by the Myanmar’s military drones and helicopters is not at all a threat for Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh will not step into any provocation or trap laid by others. We’re showing tolerance towards them. We do believe that any problem can be solved through discussion. We’re; however, ready to go to Myanmar for participating in talks if Prime Minister gives green signal. We like to discuss some important matters, including repatriation of Rohingyas and drug trafficking, with Myanmar government,” the Home Minister said while talking to the reporters at his Secretariat office.
“Earlier, we had planned to visit Myanmar in October responding to the invitation of Myanmar national security advisor. But the decision has been changed after the persecution on Rohingya began. So, if the Prime Minister okays, there may be a meeting.”
About fresh Rohingya influx, he said, “The global community has applauded us and our Prime Minister for the approach we showed towards the refugees. We’re harbouring them on a humanitarian ground. We still believe that the Rohingyas are Myanmar’s citizens and Myanmar government will take them back. Bangladesh, however, will provide shelter to the Rohingya as long as they seek asylum here.”
On September 15, protesting repeated violation of airspace on Sept 10, 12 and 14 by Myanmar drones and helicopters, Bangladesh handed over a protest note to Charge d Affaires of the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka Aung Myint.
Bangladesh had also expressed deep concern at the recurrence of such acts of provocation. Referring to the earlier instances of violation of airspace since Aug 25 and the govt demanded Myanmar must take measures to ensure that such “violation” does not occur again.
Against this backdrop, the members of Bangladesh Army, 10 Infantry Division at Ramu Cantonment have taken over the charge to distribute relief materials in the Rohingya refugee camps in the country’s southeastern Cox’s Bazar bordering district following huge mismanagement by the local civil administration. Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh Major General Abul Hossain on Monday said, the Myanmar authorities have proposed Bangladesh a flag meeting to settle the ongoing bordering issues of the two neighbouring countries, especially the Rohingya influx.
“We’ve got a proposal to hold a flag meeting with the Border Guard Police [BGP] of Myanmar in the coming November month….We’re actively considering the offer and planning to take part in the flag meeting,” he said.
More than 4,50,000 Rohingya people have entered Bangladesh since 25 August, when ethnic Muslim militants reportedly attacked 24 police posts and one army base. Apart from them, about 5, 00,000 Rohingyas are staying in Bangladesh since 1978.
