95 Myanmar law-enforcers forced to take shelter in Bangladesh

Fighting erupted along the border in the Tumbru area of the district on Sunday, forcing at least 95 Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP)—15 of whom had been shot—to seek safety in Bandarban amid a conflict between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group the Arakan Army in Myanmar‍‍`s bordering Rakhine state, report agencies. 

All of them are members of BGP, aka Nasaka, have taken shelter along the border, Shariful Islam, public relation officer of BGB Headquarters said on Monday.

According to a press release the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) released last night, the Myanmar officials were disarmed and taken into prison in the Bandarban upazila of Naikhhongchhari.

UNB‍‍`s Cox’s Bazar correspondent reports that two Bangladeshis sustained bullet injuries during firing between Myanmar’s army and armed groups in Tumbru area along Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Sunday morning.

The condition of one of the injured identified as Pobindra Dhar was stated to be critical.

Locals said there has been a fierce conflict between the country‍‍`s army and armed groups inside Myanmar over the past few days.

High-powered ammunition and explosives have been used and the border area of Ghumdhum has now become heated due to the big bang of these ammunition and explosives.

Ghumdhum Union Parishad Chairman AKM Jahangir Aziz said bullet shells and mortar shells are falling on the zero line. As a result, residents of Tumbru, Baishfari, Bhajabnia border points on the border under his union are now in an extreme panic.

Moreover, residents of two villages have left as parts of a mortar shell fell on the top of a homestead, he said.

Due to the ongoing situation, many farmers fear to go to their croplands. Various types of fruits and fruits are getting rotten in the fields of many as the produced crops are not being harvested from the lands.