Clashes at Myanmar border escalate, 65 Rohingyas intercepted

The conflict in Myanmar continues unabated. The sound of gunfire, mortar shells and explosions is increasing in the border areas, reports UNB.

From Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district to Palongkhali union of Ukhiya upazila of Cox‍‍`s Bazar district and Teknaf‍‍`s Hnila , the sound of explosions can be heard. Mortar shells and bullets fired from Myanmar are landing on houses on the other side of the border.

From Monday night to Tuesday afternoon, mortar shells hit two houses and bullets hit five houses in the border area. On Tuesday, five Bangladeshis were injured by gunshots from Myanmar.

Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin and Bandarban Police Superintendent Saikat Shahin visited the Ghundum border area on Tuesday afternoon.

After the visit, the Bandarban Deputy Commissioner said that the situation in the Ghundum border area could deteriorate further. There is a risk to 240 families in the border area. The local chairman is helping them to move to safety. Meanwhile, 150 families from the border area have already moved to their relatives‍‍` houses on their own initiative. Thirty families have been evacuated from the Jalpaitali area.

He said there are two shelters. He requested others to move to safe shelters.

Since Tuesday afternoon, loud speakers were used to ask people from Tumbru, Kona Para, Majher Para, Bhaja Bonia Para, Bazar Para, Chakma Headman Para, Paschimkul Para, Ghundum Nayapara, Purbopara, Madhya Para to move to safety.

AKM Jahangir Aziz, chairman of Ghundum Union Parishad, said that the locals are in panic due to the shelling from Myanmar for the last 5-6 days.

Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid, who visited the border, said that two schools have been opened as shelters, keeping in mind the security risks in the border area. The administration and local representatives are working together on the overall issue.

He said that unexploded bombs can cause injury or death. He urged everyone to be careful keeping in mind the overall situation.

Bandarban Police Superintendent Saikat Shahin said that police are also on high alert along with the district administration and BGB.

In the meantime, the administration has taken the initiative to evacuate the people living in the risky areas of the Cox‍‍`s Bazar border.

Cox‍‍`s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shahriar Imran said that the conflict in Myanmar has increased. In this context, there is a directive to evacuate the people living in the risky areas of the border.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the process of evacuating the border residents will start considering the situation.
Meanwhile, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intercepted a boat attempting to infiltrate Bangladesh from Myanmar via the Naf River.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Damdamia Zero Line near Hnila in Teknaf upazila, Cox‍‍`s Bazar. Lt Col M Mohiuddin Ahmed, Teknaf 2 BGB Battalion Commander, reported that the boat carried 65 Rohingya individuals. All were male. The boat was prevented from reaching Bangladeshi territory, and they were compelled to return to Myanmar.

Strict measures are in place to prevent any new Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, with heightened vigilance by the BGB along the border.