Myanmar's border force regrets Mizan's killing

Officials of Border Guard Bangladesh, in the right row, and Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) at a deputy director general-level (DDG) flag meeting in Myanmar's Maungdaw yesterday, as tension flared on the border after a BGB nayek, Mizanur Rahman, was shot dead by BGP in an unprovoked attack on May 28. The two sides were led by Cox's Bazar Sector Commander Col Khandker Farid Hasan and Maungdaw's Director Police Brig Thin Ko Ko. Photo: BGB

..................................................................................................................................................

Returns his SMG, ammo at a BGB-BGP flag meeting; claims they mistook him for Rohingya separatist

Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) yesterday returned the sub-machine gun (SMG) of slain Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Nayek Mizanur Rahman along with 120 bullets and four magazines following a flag meeting between the two forces.

In an unprovoked attack, BGP shot at BGB patrols at Naikkhangchhari border in Bandarban on May 28, leaving Mizan dead. The Myanmar force then intruded into Bangladesh and took away his body, his firearm and ammunition, creating huge tension at the border.

Col Khandker Farid Hasan, BGB's sector commander of Cox's Bazar, led a 23-member delegation, while Director Police Brig Thin Ko Ko led a team of 15 members during the four-hour meeting from 10:00am at Maungdaw in Myanmar, which is 11km off Teaknaf.

As Bangladesh strongly protested Mizan's killing at the meeting, the Myanmar force said they mistook the patrol team for members of Myanmar-based separatist group Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), who also use dark uniform like BGB's.

When asked why they did not contact BGB officials at that time, the Myanmar side said they did not have mobile phone tower there and that they would build one in a couple of months, BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed told The Daily Star last night.

The Myanmar side regretted the killing and assured Bangladesh of more cautiousness in future to prevent recurrence.

The BGB chief said when Bangladeshi officials asked BGP to withdraw army from their border, they said they needed army deployment to prevent attack by RSO separatists.

The Myanmar team then inquired about whether Bangladesh wanted to deploy army at the border but the Bangladesh side said it was not required, said Maj Gen Aziz.

He said they never gave shelter to RSO separatists and asked for specific information about RSO operatives from BGP, if any, so that Bangladesh could take action against them.

During the meeting, amid tension at Bandarban border, both sides discussed issues including border patrol by the two forces in a coordinated way and stopping intrusion.

Source: The Daily Star

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention Advocacy Director T. Kumar to Speak on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) Contact: Carolyn Lang, clang@aiusa.org, 202-675-8759 /EINPresswire.com/ (Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International Advocacy Director T. Kumar will address the Islamic Society of North America's 49th Annual Convention "One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good," in regards to the minority community of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) on Saturday, September 1, at 11:30 am at the Washington DC Convention Center.

American Buddhists Promote 969 Movement With Website

Irrawaddy News: July 9, 2013 A group of American Buddhists has launched an English-language website promoting the 969 movement, in response to negative media surrounding the ultra-nationalist Buddhist campaign in Burma. The website aims to dispel “myths” about the movement, with a letter from nationalist monk Wirathu to a Time magazine reporter whose article about 969 was banned in Burma. “We’re not officially endorsed by Ven Wirathu at this time but will send a delegation to his monastery soon,” a spokesperson for the site said via email, adding that the group would create a nonprofit to coordinate “969 activities worldwide in response to religious oppression.”

Rohingya Activist Nominated for Human Rights Award

PHR congratulates Zaw Min Htut, a Burmese Rohingya activist, on his nomination for the 2011 US State Department Human Rights Defenders Award . Zaw Min Htut has been working for Rohingyas’ rights through the Burmese Rohingya Association of Japan since he fled Burma in 1998. Prior to that he was a student activist in Burma, and was detained for his participation in protests in 1996. In Japan, Zaw Min Htut has organized protests at the Burmese embassy and has written books on the history of Rohingya.

The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Search This Blog