Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB) has alerted along the Bangladesh-Burma border for not
returning the picked up three Bangladeshi policemen and one civilian since
March 13, by Burma border security force (Nasaka), Hossain, a trader from
border said. “A group of patrol Nasaka personnel picked up them from the
border point of Gumdum last Wednesday at about 5:00 pm when they crossed the
Bangladesh-Burma border by mistake.”
The Burmese security force neither released the Bangladeshis nor
agreed to hold a flag meeting till Friday afternoon but they later agreed to
hold the bilateral flag meeting, Bangladesh officials said.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has geared up patrolling along
Teknaf to Niakonchari border for the last three days since the abducted
policemen and civilians.
But, other forces were also kept on alert along the border while
BGB continued to watch the situation, official more added.
The picked up policemen were identified as—- constables Mohammad
Imran Hossain and Irfan Sarkar from Ukhiya television sub-station,
constable Mojibur Rahman from Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp, and
Saiful Islam, a civilian.
Lt. Colonel Mohammad Khalequzzaman, commanding officer of BGB 17
Battalion, had been waiting at Gundum Border out-post (BOP) of Bangladesh for
the proposed flag meeting till yesterday afternoon, official said.
Tension mounts along the Bangladesh-Burma border as Burma’s border
security force (Nasaka) did not release the police men and civilian.
However, today, at around 11:15 am, Battalion Commander level bilateral flag meeting between BGB and Nasaka was held today again over the matter at Bangladesh-Burma border (Taungbro) nearby Lal (red) bridge inside Burma territory.
From Burma side, twenty five members were participated in the
meeting led by Major Chit Swe Thura from Nasaka area No.3 of Maungdaw Township
while from Bangladesh side; also 25 members participated at the meeting led by
Lt. Col Mohammad Khalequzzaman, Commanding officer of BGB 17 Battalion and
Major Mithadur Rahman, according to an aide of BGB from Border area.
In the meeting, the Nasaka Commander Major Chit Swe Thura
requested to Lt .Col to be patient as he was busy, so he was not able to hold
flag meeting immediately. They keep the arrestees along with our Nasaka
personnel and treat them well. Don’t worry about them, said a Nasaka aide
from the border.
But, when the Nasaka tried to hand over them to the BGB, there are
some mistakes in the name and personal number. For instance: Saiful in place of
Saiful Islam and personal No.157 instead of personal No. 178. As a result, the
police men were not released and not able to hand over to the BGB personnel.
Therefore, they will be released soon after correction of the name
and personal number, according to official.
However, the meeting was concluded at about 12:45 pm.
Source KPN: