Fitting reply, if bullet crosses border line

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Abu Hossain yesterday said that no bullets fired by Myanmar forces on fleeing Rohingyas crossed the Bangladesh border line. “As far as I know, no bullet crossed the border line,” he said at Ghumdhum of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban after visiting different Bangladesh-Myanmar border points.

The border guard  chief made the remarks a day after the firing of bullets by Myanmar Border Guard Police on fleeing Rohingyas, the Muslim inhabitants of Myanmar’s Rakhine state, at Tambroo border point in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban.

 The BGB chief, however, vowed to give befitting reply if any firing from Myanmar side crosses the border line. “If they cross our border … if they attack, we will give them a fitting reply. The BGB is ready to combat any kind of situation. We are a heroic nation. We earned our independence after a long fight,” said the BGB DG.

About the Myanmar crackdown on Rohingyas, Abu Hossain hoped that the Myanmar government would implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission soon to address the crisis. “We hope Myanmar will take the necessary steps regarding their citizens,” he said.

After a fresh attack on Friday on 25 Myanmar Police outposts and an army base which left 92 people, including 12 members of the security forces and 80 Rohingya rebel fighters, dead, Bangladesh is apprehending a fresh influx of Rohingyas. Several thousands of Rohingyas have been waiting at different Bangladesh-Myanmar border points to enter Bangladesh. Around 5,000 Rohingyas have managed to enter Bangladesh, too, said sources.

Last Thursday, a commission led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan stated that Myanmar must scrap restrictions on the movement and citizenship of its Rohingya minority if it wants to avoid fuelling extremism and bring peace to Rakhine state. Rights groups hailed the report as a milestone for the persecuted Rohingya community because the Aung San Suu Kyi government had previously vowed to abide by its findings.

In reply to Myanmar’s claim that “Bengali terrorists” had carried out the coordinated attacks on the Myanmar Police outposts and army base, Maj. Gen. Hossain said there are no “Bengali terrorists”. “There is no terrorist in Bangladesh and, in future, there will be no Bengali terrorists either. We are not allowing any terrorist to enter our land,” he stated.

“Our people are secure. We are a sovereign country. We are not allowing anyone to enter our country,” the DG assured the people. “There is a possibility of intrusion, as the border is open. However, we are not allowing anyone to enter our border. If anyone manages to enter, we will send back them,” he added. He added that the BGB will strengthen its force with 15,000 new members.

Fitting reply, if bullet crosses border line

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Abu Hossain yesterday said that no bullets fired by Myanmar forces on fleeing Rohingyas crossed the Bangladesh border line. As far as I know, no bullet crossed the border line, he said at Ghumdhum of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban after visiting different Bangladesh-Myanmar border points. The border guard chief made the remarks a day after the firing of bullets by Myanmar Border Guard Police on fleeing Rohingyas, the Muslim inhabitants of Myanmars Rakhine state, at Tambroo border point in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban. The BGB chief, however, vowed to give befitting reply if any firing from Myanmar side crosses the border line. If they cross our border if they attack, we will give them a fitting reply. The BGB is ready to combat any kind of situation. We are a heroic nation. We earned our independence after a long fight, said the BGB DG. About the Myanmar crackdown on Rohingyas, Abu Hossain hoped that the Myanmar government would implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission soon to address the crisis. We hope Myanmar will take the necessary steps regarding their citizens, he said. After a fresh attack on Friday on 25 Myanmar Police outposts and an army base which left 92 people, including 12 members of the security forces and 80 Rohingya rebel fighters, dead, Bangladesh is apprehending a fresh influx of Rohingyas. Several thousands of Rohingyas have been waiting at different Bangladesh-Myanmar border points to enter Bangladesh. Around 5,000 Rohingyas have managed to enter Bangladesh, too, said sources. Last Thursday, a commission led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan stated that Myanmar must scrap restrictions on the movement and citizenship of its Rohingya minority if it wants to avoid fuelling extremism and bring peace to Rakhine state. Rights groups hailed the report as a milestone for the persecuted Rohingya community because the Aung San Suu Kyi government had previously vowed to abide by its findings. In reply to Myanmars claim that Bengali terrorists had carried out the coordinated attacks on the Myanmar Police outposts and army base, Maj. Gen. Hossain said there are no Bengali terrorists. There is no terrorist in Bangladesh and, in future, there will be no Bengali terrorists either. We are not allowing any terrorist to enter our land, he stated. Our people are secure. We are a sovereign country. We are not allowing anyone to enter our country, the DG assured the people. There is a possibility of intrusion, as the border is open. However, we are not allowing anyone to enter our border. If anyone manages to enter, we will send back them, he added. He added that the BGB will strengthen its force with 15,000 new members.