The junta government of the country is sending a navy ship to take back the members of various forces of the country who fled to Bangladesh due to the internal conflict in Myanmar. If everything goes well, the ship currently at sea will reach Cox’s Bazar coast on Saturday (February 10), multiple sources said.
When asked about this, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Myanmar has already informed us that the ship will arrive on Saturday through a diplomatic letter.”
A total of 330 citizens, including members of the country’s various forces who fled from Myanmar, have been kept in two schools in Teknaf under the supervision of members of the Bangladesh law and order forces. When asked when these citizens of Myanmar will return to the country, another official of the ministry told the Bangla Tribune, ‘First all Myanmar citizens should be brought to Cox’s Bazar. Also, because the ship is big, it cannot come close to the coast. As a result, it takes as long as it takes to get them on board in small boats or trawlers. It may take a few hours.’
current status
About two battalions of officers, soldiers, Myanmar Border Guard Police and some family members fled to Bangladesh when the fighting between the Myanmar government forces and the rebel Arakan Army on the Rakhine border got out of hand. At first, Bangladesh wanted to send them by plane, but Myanmar did not agree. Then it was decided to send them back by sea.
In this regard, an official said, ‘members of the Myanmar forces have been crossing the border for several days. Their weapons are stored with the Border Guard Bangladesh. According to international law, when they return, those weapons must be returned.
When asked about the 15 injured people, he said, ‘They will also be sent back on the same ship.’
Myanmar Navy ship
When naval ships enter the territorial waters of other countries, permission is to be obtained by sending a ‘note verbal’. Myanmar has already sent that ‘note verbal’. The diplomatic letter should contain the name of the ship, type, number of crew etc.
In this regard, the officer said, ‘It is a troop carrier. Soldiers were sent to different places by this ship. Generally the capacity of this ship is around 500 people. As a result, it is possible to send all those who are staying in Bangladesh on this ship.
what next
In the light of the ongoing events in Myanmar and especially in Rakhine, it can be said that the internal war will continue for several more days. In that case, the members of various forces of the country can again come to the border of Bangladesh and take shelter. Former diplomats believe that a compromise between the two countries may be necessary.
In this regard, a diplomat said, ‘Rohingya and members of the government forces are not the same thing. We need to think about the future. If the border conflict continues, such incidents may repeat. As a result, it will be easier to handle the situation if we have an agreement between the two countries in advance.’