Dhaka warns Myanmar military, Arakan army: HM
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said that Bangladesh conveyed its concern to Myanmar military and Arakan army with a strong note that Bangladesh would retaliate if they fire into Bangladesh territory further, reports BSS.
‘Otherwise, we will respond to their firing. If we are attacked, we will respond to that attack,’ he told reporters replying to a query at his secretariat office here.
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that Myanmar had some internal crises and the country had different ethnic groups.
There are conflicts among them, he said, adding, ‘So far we heard that the Arakan army has grabbed many areas of the Arakan state. For this, many members of the Border Guard of Police of Myanmar have fled and came to Bangladesh.’
‘Occasionally, by mistake, they (Myanmar military or Arakan army) have opened fire on our Border Guard Bangladesh. We have conveyed our concern to them. They said if we clearly display the Bangladeshi flag on our vessels, no one will fire at them,’ he said.
The home minister said that due to poor navigability at certain points of the Naf River, reaching Saint Martin’s Island from Teknaf became a challenge by boats.
It forces Bangladeshi boats to navigate those parts through Myanmar waters, leading to incidents where the Myanmar military or the Arakan army opens fire, he said.
Kamal said that the situation had improved recently.
The home minister said that currently, they were not shooting at boats on Bangladeshi waters. ‘The two ships (positioned on the Naf River) on the Myanmar side have been withdrawn,’ he said.
‘We hope that there will be no further gunfire incidents. Nonetheless, those who cross the area are taking necessary precautions,’ the home minister added.
The minister said that current discussions about ex-Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia’s graft allegation appeared to be based on speculation, reports UNB.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat, the home minister said, ‘As far as I know, the discussions are speculative. No formal allegations have been brought against him yet. Regarding the claims about his illegal properties, he has not been summoned yet. If he is summoned, we will understand, and surely he will have some explanations.’
Talking about ex-IGP Benazir Ahmed he said, ‘The value of land has increased significantly. Benazir Ahmed was on a mission for a long time. He might have explanations. If he cannot provide explanations, then questions of corruption will arise,’ he said.
Regarding the ongoing investigation into the murder of MP Anar, the home minister said that they were very close in the investigation.
‘Once the investigation is complete, we will be able to reveal everything. The Detective Branch is working correctly and independently,’ he said.
