Last month, fierce fighting broke out between the armed Arakan Army and junta forces in Rakhine state. As a result of the clashes, lasting a few days from 11 March, 172 BGP members and 3 customs officials fled to Bangladesh. Till now it has not been possible to send them back.
BGP members and customs officials who fled to Bangladesh last month were sent back within a week. Why was it not possible to send them back this time even after two weeks had passed? In response, the officials concerned told this correspondent that the delay in repatriating the 177 persons was due to some complicated procedures on the Myanmar side. Like last time, this time too they will be sent back by naval ship. It is taking time to send them back because Myanmar is delaying in giving some information.
Earlier, for four days from February 4, a total of 330 persons, including members of Myanmar security forces, customs officials and civilians, had taken refuge in Bangladesh. They had entered Bangladesh through Rahmater Bill on the Ukhia border, Hoikang in Teknaf and Ghumdhum border crossing at Naikhangchhari in Bandarban. On 15 February, all of them were sent back by a naval ship from the naval pier in Ukhia.
