In the face of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees from the country continue to pour into Bangladesh despite BGB and Coastguard’s strict vigilance.
“It is very difficult to resist Rohingya refugees as they are trespassing into Bangladesh territory through different bordering areas especially inaccessible points,” AKM Jahangir Alam, Chairman of Ghum Dhum union council of Cox’s Bazar district, told journalists on Wednesday. He said, the refugees are now staying in four Rohingya camps on the Bangladesh side of the border.
“But in the most cases BGB also continue to push back them who are trying to cross over into Bangladesh. However, those who managed to enter Bangladesh sought shelter in refugee camps or at our villagers’ homes,” he said.
On Wednesday, members of BGB sent back five boats packed with Rohingyas to Myanmar following their attempt to intrude into the Bangladesh territory through the Naf Rive.
Lieutenant Colonel Abu Jar Ali Jahid, Commanding Officer of BGB-2 Battalion, said the BGB team pushed the Rohingya nationals back while they were crossing the river.
On the other hand, another BGB team sent five Rohingyas back to their country while they were trying to enter Bangladesh through Ukhiya border point around 4 am on Wednesday, said Lt Col Imran Ullah Sarkar of BGB-34 Battalion.
Meanwhile, United Nations on Wednesday said atleast 10,000 Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh in recent weeks, fleeing violence in neighbouring Myanmar
“Based on reports by various humanitarian agencies, we estimate that there could be 10,000 new arrivals in recent weeks,” said Vivian Tan, a spokeswoman for the UN Refugee Agency in Bangkok, according to agency.
“The situation is fast changing and the actual number could be much higher.”
The Myanmar army has carried out a bloody crackdown in the Western state of Rakhine, forcing some 30,000 people to flee their homes. Bangladesh has stepped up patrols on the border to try to stop the Rohingya from entering, but last week it said thousands had already flooded into the country.
Those interviewed by AFP inside Bangladesh had horrifying stories of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar’s military men. Analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch found hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages have been razed.
Myanmar has denied allegations of abuse, saying the army is hunting “terrorists” behind raids on police posts last month.
Foreign journalists and independent investigators have been banned from accessing the area to probe the claims.
On Tuesday, the UN rights agency said Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya could be tantamount to crimes against humanity, reiterating the findings of a June report.
Tan said the UN was urging the Bangladesh government to allow the Rohingya safe haven.
“We are ready to support the government to provide effective humanitarian assistance for these individuals in need of international protection,” she said.
