Bangladesh in touch with Myanmar govt, Arakan Army: Home Adviser

The Bangladesh government is maintaining communication with both the Myanmar government and the rebel group Arakan Army regarding the border situation in the neighbouring country, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday.

“Although the Arakan Army has taken full control of 271km border areas shared between Bangladesh and Myanmar, the country is run by the Myanmar government. Under the circumstances, we are in touch with both sides,” he told reporters while visiting the border areas in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

“Over the Rohingya crisis, we have appointed Dr Khalilur Rahman, an expert on the issue. He is monitoring the matter continuously. We have no problem in border areas. Members of all forces, including the Border Guard Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Coast Guard, are performing their duties with utmost caution,” he said.

“We are giving importance to ensuring that the law and order situation remains normal at all times.”

The home adviser said 50,000-60,000 new Rohingyas have intruded into Bangladesh following the conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

He said the newly arrived Rohingyas have not been registered, while a decision from the top level of the government is necessary on whether they will be registered or not.

“These Rohingyas have faced humanitarian issues and many of them sustained critical injuries. As a result, sending them back has also become very complicated,” Jahangir said.