Cox’s Bazar Correspondent: Intermittent clashes, firing, and shelling continue between the country’s government forces and the Arakan Army rebel group inside Myanmar near the Teknaf and Ukhia borders in Cox’s Bazar. In such a situation, it has become risky for the residents of the Shilkhali and Balibazar areas of Myanmar to stay in the Teknaf part.
Hundreds of Myanmar’s Rohingyas are floating in boats in the Teknaf and Naf rivers adjacent to Ukhia, hoping to enter Bangladesh at the risk of their lives in these areas. Penetration is not possible during the day in the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard personnel. So many people are trying to escape surveillance at night.
On the ground, it can be seen that some Rohingyas are staying with small canoes in the Naf river along with Lombbil and the Unchiprangkanjar area. Where there are people, from small children to old people, When they attempted to cross the Bangladesh border when the BGB blew the whistle, they moved to the Myanmar border. They are said to be residents of the Kumirkhali Jumhara and Ghona Para areas of Myanmar.
According to the BGB and Coast Guard, 4-6 boats loaded with Rohingya citizens were sent back to Myanmar while crossing the Naf River and entering Teknaf. At the same time, BGB arrested 10 Rohingyas while trying to cross the Teknaf border to enter Bangladesh and sent them back to Myanmar.
Gafur Chowdhury, Chairman of Ukhia Palongkhali Union Parishad, said that Rohingyas are trying to infiltrate through several areas of my union. I heard that some Rohingya from Bolibazar have taken positions in the river with canoes to seize the opportunity to infiltrate. Earlier also, I took 23 Rohingyas with weapons, arrested them with the locals, and handed them over to law and order forces. We are aware that no Rohingya will be allowed to enter.
Noor Mohammad Anwari, Chairman of Huaikxyong Union Parishad, said Rohingyas are trying to enter through our area. BGB detained six Rohingyas in two to three days and pushed them back. I heard that some more Rohingyas are staying in the Naf River with canoes. Therefore, all my UP members are instructed to be alert. There is no way Rohingyas can infiltrate.
BGB Teknaf-2 battalion commander Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed said that on February 9, two suspicious women from Myanmar crossed the null line of the Naf River in the Lomabil area of Huaikong Union and infiltrated into Bangladesh. At that time, BJB members saw the two women and ordered them to stop. Later, they were detained and interrogated. During preliminary interrogation, the two women identified themselves as Myanmar nationals. Later, they were pushed back. We are always alert.
