Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh wants a peaceful solution to the continuous violation of international border sovereignty rules by the Myanmar army, but, if necessary, the issue will be raised in the United Nations.
The government is regularly voicing against the firing of mortar shells and bullets by Myanmar army along the Naikhongchhari border area in Bandarban and Rakhine state of Myanmar in the name of containing the Arakan army over the last few weeks.
The Foreign Ministry called the Myanmar Ambassador a number of times in recent days to warn about the violation of border rules as their mortar shells and bullets are landing inside Bangladesh territory, creating a tense situation in the area. Meanwhile, on Saturday Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told the media in the capital: “Bangladesh does not support war. We want a peaceful and diplomatic solution to it. But, if necessary, the issue will be raised before the UN.”
The minister also said, “Myanmar frequently breaches the pledges they make. Our bilateral and multilateral efforts are on.”
When attention is drawn to Myanmar’s conflicts with their other ethnic groups apart from Rohingya, Asaduzzaman said, “We notice that Myanmar has been engaged in conflicts with other ethnic groups along with Rohingya. Their internal conflicts are going on along the borders of China, India and Thailand.”
“The Myanmar army is locked in war with the rebel Arakan army. But we believe their internal conflicts should be confined to their territory,” he added.
About the Rohingya repatriation, the minister said that Bangladesh wants a peaceful solution of the Rohingya repatriation to their homeland.
Earlier on Friday, six mortar shells fired from Myanmar exploded inside Bangladesh on the Ghumdum border in Bandarban, leaving one Rohingya dead on the spot and at least six others seriously wounded.
Even a Bangladeshi youth of Ghumdum Union Parishad was injured after a land mine exploded inside Myanmar territory – near pillar 25 and 300 metre – along the Naikhongchhari border.
Since the escalating tension in the border areas on August 28, the Border Guard Bangladesh and other law enforcing agencies are on high alert and patrols and surveillance in the area have been stepped up.
So far the Foreign Ministry summoned the Myanmar envoy thrice over the issue to convey strong protest but their commitment did not tie with the violation of the border rules.
Meanwhile, intermittent firing is going on the Ghudhum border on Saturday, creating a panic in the area.
The locals are in fear due to the escalating tensions on the border. People living near the border feel unsafe.
The examinees of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) are also in fear due to the rising tensions in the area.
The police of Ghumdhum Police Outpost escorted some 250 SSC examinees to their examination centre under their protection amid this situation.
The locals said that they cannot go for work easily in their agriculture fields or other areas for buying or selling daily essentials as they don’t know when shells or bullets enter the area.
The Myanmar internal problems have been badly affecting Bangladesh but the Myanmar government is not showing proactive roles to address the issues.
Some five years ago, internal persecution by the Myanmar Army unleashed against the Rohingyas forced them to flee from their homeland to take shelter in Bangladesh. Now
Bangladesh has been carrying their burdens but Myanmar is not fulfilling its commitment to take them back.
Instead of creating a peaceful environment in Rakhine state, the Myanmar army is now locked in conflicts with the internal rebels. Amid this situation, the Rohingya repatriation issue is entering the black hole.
Bangladesh has repeatedly urged the international community especially its close ally China and India to resolve the issue because it may lead to regional tensions for all.
