Photo: Collected
Many armed members of the Myanmar military and the Border Guard Police (BGP) entered Bangladesh in recent months to escape from the Arakan Army attacks, with experts expressing concern that they could be spies of the Southeast Asian nation’s government forces.
They also think the arrival of these armed members could be linked to a conspiracy to delay the repatriation of the more than 14 lakh Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.
This is because unlike the Rohingyas who came earlier, some of those coming this time entered Bangladesh with weapons. Besides, the members of the special forces also entered with weapons.
Besides, experts are concerned about whether the influx of the armed members is intended to create chaos in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh.
Security analyst Major General (retd) Abdur Rashid said the Myanmar soldiers accused of torturing the Rohingyas are now entering Bangladesh as they are unable to defend the Arakan Army attacks.
“Whether it is a situation that has evolved or there is a deeper motive should be analysed,” he said.
Public Relations Officer at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters Shariful Islam said 538 members of the Myanmar government forces entered Bangladesh in the last one and a half months, including 12 on Tuesday.
Officials of government and other organisations of Myanmar also entered Bangladesh.
Sources say the Arakan Army has almost taken control of Mrauk U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Ramree, and Myebon areas in the northern part of Rakhine. The security checkpoints of the state forces on the border are now under the control of the Arakan Army, which has become a matter of deep concern for Bangladesh.
Security and international relations analysts say Bangladesh's border with Myanmar should be closed until the Myanmar government can take over the areas controlled by the rebel groups.
As reports from various media outlets say 70 per cent of Myanmar's border with Bangladesh has been taken over by rebels, there are greater risks for Bangladesh. That is why it is necessary to stop all trade with Myanmar and also shut the border, say experts.
Security expert Major (retd) Imdadul Islam said there is no option but to close the border now, if necessary. “Necessary preparations must be in place to deal with security risks within the border.”
Besides, security analyst Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury said, “Regardless of whether they are spies or escaped soldiers or individuals who committed war crimes, we should isolate them and then investigate to confirm their identities.”
“They should be kept in detention here without being sent back. Bangladesh may seek help of the International Court of Justice for their trial if there is evidence of their involvement in Rohingya genocide and ethnic cleansing,” he said.
Meanwhile, fierce clashes continue between the armed forces and the Arakan Army in Rakhine. Over the past week, there were heavy gunfights between the two forces in the southern areas of Maungdaw.
The Myanmar forces dropped bombs and mortars on the Arakan Army targets. On the other hand, the Arakan Army attacked some BGP strongholds, creating a tense situation.
Sounds of bombs and mortars can still be heard from across the Teknaf border in Rakhine. The people in border areas in Hnila, Teknaf Sadar, Teknaf municipality, and St Martin’s Island said they have been hearing these sounds for the past seven days.
Abul Ali, a resident of Teknaf municipality area, said the loud sounds are not of gunshots. “Our houses trembled, as if bombs were going off.”
Abdus Salam, a member of ward 9 of Sabrang union, said sounds of bombs, mortars, and the firing of bullets could be heard in his area for the past seven days.
“The bangs on the other side of the border caused panic among the people here. But I still do not see the possibility of mortars falling in our area,” he added.
Messenger/Disha
