By Arakan Watch
Bangladesh has taken
an initiative to construct barbed wire fencing in the Bangladesh part of Burma
border to prevent drug trafficking and Rohingya infiltration. At the same time,
to strengthen the patrol, construct a paved road along the watercourse.
Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB) has sent a proposal to the Interior Ministry of that country.
After proper scrutiny, the proposal will be sent to the meeting of the
Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
The concerned people
say that if the construction of barbed wire fences and the constant patrol of
the BGB and Coast Guard members are ensured, the drug trafficking and Rohingya
penetration can be reduced to zero quota. So the proposal has been referred to
the overall importance.
It is known that
Bangladesh’s border with Burma is 290 kilometers. In it, 117 kilometer will be
barbed wire fencing. And apart from this, paved roads will be constructed on
the side of the 54 kilometer watercourse. During the era of Burma’s former military
government, 226 kilometer barbed wire fencing was constructed in the country’s
four-stage border. After the formation of the Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLD
government, steps have been taken to start the construction of barbed wire for
the remaining 64 kilometers. Construction has already started.
The Burmese
government has been accused by more than one time that the members of their
separatist organization the “Arakan Army” have been infiltrating into
Bangladesh by unprotected border. Bangladesh government has strongly protested
about their allegations. Apart from this complaint, there is more than one
meeting between the two border guards. In the last meeting, they were welcomed
when BGB informed about the construction of barbed fences in Bangladesh.
According to the
sources, it is known that from the Teknaf to Ukhia there are 54 kilometers of
land boundary road. BGB cannot afford regular patrol because there is no road
in the other part.
A BGB responsible
officer has told local newspapers that four more sectors and six battalion
headquarters would be built to strengthen the border security situation across
the country. Meanwhile, 85 new BOPs are being set up at the border. While
another 65 BOPs are under process.