A 17-year-old-Rohingya boy was killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at the Zero Point Rohingya Camp close to the international border inTombru, Bandarban. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Iqbal, son of Monir Ahmed and resident of the Zero Point Rohingya Camp, known as the camp that is closest to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, in No Man's Land.
The injured are Sazia Jannat,10, Anach 12, Nabi Hussain, 22, Bhulu, 44, and Sabekunnahar (age unknown). Four mortar shells landed in succession at the Rohingya camp around 8pm. One exploded, leaving Iqbal dead on the spot and five others injured, according to the deputy commissioner of Bandarban, Yasmin Parveen Tibriji.
The injured were taken to Medecins Sans Frontieres-run Hospital in the Kutupalong camp in Ukhia. After this incident, the Rohingyas of the Zero Point camp have taken shelter in the territory of Bangladesh. The security has been strengthened there and BGB men are patrolling in the area.
Authorities have been alerted to shift an SSC examination centre located in the Ghumdhum area of Naikshangchari upazila, that is felt to be in the danger zone. Higher authorities have been informed to shift the center to Katupalang Center in Ukhia, added the DC Yasmin.
Friday's events may stand out as the turning point to trigger a much-needed change in the Bangladesh government's hands off policy towards its rogue neighbour to the south-east. Earlier, an indigenous youth was grievously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Friday noon. The injured is Anganthowai Tanchangya, 22, a resident of Ghumdhum union of the upazila.
Locals said it is the Myanmarese army that has mined the area. This particular one exploded near Tombru border when the youth went there to bring back his cow. Ghumdhum Union Parishad Chairman AKM Jahangir Aziz said Anganthowai has lost his left foot in the explosion. He was rushed to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital and then to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) where he is currently undergoing treatment in a critical condition, Chairman Aziz added.
It again raises the question of whether the Myanmar army is carrying out its operations against the Arakan Army insurgents of Rakhine State too close to, or even in some cases across the international border. Twelve mortar shells have been fired by the Myanmar army on Bangladesh territory so far. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh has warned the Myanmar authorities about this incident.
END/TDM/EHM
