The conflict situation in Rakhaine state, located on the other side of Bangladesh border, has become worse. There, the Arakan Army is engaged in an intense fighting with the Myanmar army. The state Rakhine has been shaking with the sound of bullets and mortars for days. The overall situation has been becoming more complex day by day. The Junta government of Myanmar, who occupied power overturning National League for democracy government led by Aung Sun Su Chi three years ago, has fallen into difficult challenges.
On the other hand, the outcome of the conflict has also affected Bangladesh border areas. The mortar shells are falling into the Bangladesh’s territory, which made the people at the border scared. The huge firing and shelling on the other side of Bangladesh border created a tensed situation in Ghumdhum, Naikhyangchori and Douchari unions of Bandarban. Even, the bullets and mortar shells has been falling on the yards and paddy fields of local people of Naikhyangchori. The locals on Ghumdhum border has been fleeing from their houses.
According to the locals, the sound of firing, shelling and helicopter patrolling has created a fearful situation there and made the people scared. Many guardians restricted their kids from going schools in fear of their physical harm. The agricultural activities and trade of the area were halted in many areas of the locality.
Fear of Rohingya infiltration again: According to the Bandarban representative of the Bangladesh Pratidin, the armed conflict across the Bangladesh-Myanmar border near Naikhyongchari in Bandarban continued yesterday. Myanmar government forces have been seen using military helicopters to patrol near the border inside Myanmar. Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, the locals are afraid of Rohingya infiltration due to the conflict between the armed guerilla groups and the Myanmar government forces. They say that a large number of Rohingyas have gathered near the Naf river on the other side of the border to enter Bangladesh. However, the BGB said tight security measures have been imposed at the border. Patrolling has been increased. Bangladesh Border Guard Force-BGB has full capacity to prevent Rohingya infiltration.
Meanwhile, in the last three-four days, BGB has detained some tribal citizens of Myanmar while trying to cross the border and enter Bangladesh. Quoting the detainees, a BGB source said they came to Bangladesh as it became difficult to stay there in the face of heavy shelling. Naikshyongchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Zakaria said the BGB is on strict alert to prevent the possible infiltration of Rohingyas due to the internal affairs of Myanmar.
After visiting the border area, Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin urged the locals to be alert, but not get panicked, saying that all the forces engaged in maintaining peace at the border are alert. If the situation worsens, those living in vulnerable areas will be evacuated to safety if necessary.
Superintendent of Police Saikat Shaheen said, “The BGB is on high alert due to unrest in Myanmar. The police (security) system has been overhauled and strengthened. Mortar shells were heard in the border area. However, the people of the area have nothing to panic. Law and order (situation) is normal. All preparations have been made to keep people safe.”
Meanwhile, various armed groups have been fighting intermittently with the Myanmar military for a long time. In the last week of January, the level of fighting suddenly escalated. The fighting between the military government and various armed groups in the border provinces is now at its peak. The military government of Myanmar has faced a tough challenge as the Arakan Army has increased its strength in the Rakhine region and occupied various areas. It is known that the country has been in turmoil since the military government took power three years ago overturning the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Anti-junta protests and demonstrations became stronger in different parts of the country. Myanmar's various ethnic armed organizations began to increase their strengths. Myanmar's three ethnic armed groups, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, are currently waging a fierce resistance against the Myanmar military in the country's Shan and Rakhine provinces. In the past three years, these groups have captured more than 300 military posts and 20 cities in Myanmar. There are no clear signs of an immediate end to the conflict. In such a situation, the military ruler of the country has faced a difficult challenge.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 2 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque Khan)
