Myanmar Mobilises Troops Along Border: Dhaka Keeps Mum On Barbed-Wire Fencing / Border Fencing By Myanmar Upsets Bangladesh

Myanmar Mobilises Troops Along Border: Dhaka Keeps Mum On Barbed-Wire Fencing / Border Fencing By Myanmar Upsets Bangladesh

(NSI News Source Info) March 21, 2009: The government of Myanmar is learnt to have mobilized troops along the Mongdoo - Teknaf border before its move for barbed-fencing in the border belt, according to sources in the border.

The border security guards of Myanmar - Nasaka - has already started accumulating construction materials in the border line reportedly with the view to restrict trespassing and smuggling in the border by intensifying security patrol and barbed-fencing.

A Bangladesh boy, left, watches Border Security Force soldiers prepare for a patrol near the Bay of Bengal in Taknaf, a popular launching point for dangerous journeys by illegal immigrants, about 246 kilometers (154 miles), southwest of capital Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thousands of impoverished Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, members of a stateless, Muslim ethnic group that fled Myanmar to escape persecution, leave Bangladesh aboard rickety boats each year in hopes of finding work elsewhere. The well-traveled route to Thailand through Malaysia has recently sparked international inquiries after Thai authorities allegedly detained and beat hundreds of the migrants before abandoning them in the Indian Ocean in boats with no engines and only a few bags of rice.

The barbed-fencing move from Akiyab to Ghumdhum was taken by the Myanmar government against the backdrop of the security situation in Teknaf border after a mutiny at Bangladesh Riles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka.

Acting Commander of the 42- Rifles Battalion in Teknaf admitted that the Nasaka took up the border fencing project keeping them in the dark. The BDR official also claimed that the authorities concerned had duly been notified about the fencing move of the Myanmar government and the subsequent troop mobilisation.

It is also learnt that troop mobilisation was in progress at the Myanmar side zero points of Teknaf, Ukhiya and Naikhangchari. On the other hand, the BDR also strengthened patrol in the border belt and was keenly watching the events taking place in the area. The fencing move and sudden mobilisation of troops in the border belt have reportedly sparked tense among the residents of the border areas in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Local traders said that the move would certainly put negative impact on the trade and commerce that had been in progress over the last couple of years. Movement of freight through Teknaf land port has declined over the last couple of days. Myanmar nationals entered Bangladesh complying with the provisions of the immigration also confirmed about the troop mobilisation in the border areas.

UNB adds: Foreign Minister Dipu Moni preferred to keep mum on the reported barbed-wire fencing along Bangladesh border by Myanmar with the backing of its troops.

"I don't like to give any opinion…We'll firm up our stance considering the situation," she told reporters yesterday at the Foreign Ministry when her comments were sought on the reported border fencing and mobilisation of troops by Myanmar.

Asked whether the Government is concerned over the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, she said if any situation of concern takes place along the country's frontier, "we will be concerned".