By Abdul Aziz
December 18, 2016
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have sent back 98 Rohingyas who were trying to enter Bangladesh to flee persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh -- BGB personnel intercepted the trespassers at different points of the Naf river and Ukhiya border early on Sunday.
Teknaf 2 BGB Commander Lt Col Abujar Al Zahid said: “We raided two points of the river from 5am till 9am and pushed back at least 90 Rohingyas boarded on six boats.”
Cox’s Bazar BGB 34 Battalion Commanding Officer Lt Col Imran Ullah Sarker said: “At least eight Rohingyas were sent back while they were trying to intrude into Bangladesh territory through Ukhiya’s Palongkhali border.”
Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims tried to cross into Bangladesh illegally after Myanmar troops launched a crackdown in the 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 the 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.
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