Bangladesh BGB sends back 135 Rohingyas
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| BGB stopping Rohingyas Photo: Morshed Ali Khan |
By Abdul Aziz
December 8, 2016
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh -- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has sent back 135 Rohingyas who fled Myanmar in the face of ongoing crackdown in Rakhine state.
BGB personnel prevented the trespassing at different points of the Naf river on Thursday morning.
“We raided four different points of the river around 7:30am and pushed back at least 135 Rohingyas boarded in nine boats,” said Teknaf 2 BGB Commander Lt Col Abujar Al Zahid
Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims tried to cross into Bangladesh illegally after Myanmar troops launched a crackdown in Rakhine state in response to attacks on three border posts on October 9 that killed nine police officers.
Bangladesh has stepped up security along its border with Myanmar to prevent influx of Rohingyas fleeing violence in Rakhine state that has killed at least 86 people and displaced 30,000 others.
Myanmar and the military have denied accusations by Rohingyas and rights groups of raping women, torching houses and killing civilians during their operations.
Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingyas as its citizens and dubs them ‘Bangali’. Rohingyas, who managed to land in Bangladesh, have taken shelter at refugee camps and other places in Cox’s Bazar.
Bangladesh has so far pushed back thousands of Rohingyas.
The latest violence is the most serious since the 2012 communal clashes. Many have criticised Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi for her silence although her party is in power.
