By BD News24
 |
Bangladesh and Myanmar border security forces have started a joint patrol in the Naf River that separates the countries.
The move came after less than a week of heightened tension at the border when Myanmar deployed additional security forces across Bandarban Ghumghum border, which Dhaka protested by summoning that country's envoy to the foreign ministry for an explanation.
Teknaf-2 BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) commander Lt Col
Asaduzzaman Chowdhury said the joint patrol by the BGB and Myanmar Border
Police Guard or BGP was carried out from 11am to 5pm on Monday.
"Thirteen BGB members and 16 BPG personnel took part
in the boat patrol," he said.
He added the joint initiative was taken to avert any
untoward incident surrounding the Rohingya people.
Lt Col Asaduzzaman however, said, "It's not a
regular patrol. It will occasionally be held."
"We have sent a schedule to the Myanmar authorities.
We can decide on a permanent patrol mechanism once they respond. It will be
carried out during the day," he added.
Over a million Rohingya refugees are now living in
Bangladesh, of whom some 700,000 have fled the Rakhine state since Myanmar
security forces launched a crackdown on Aug 25 following an attack by militant
Rohingyas on several security posts.
Last Thursday, the BGP fired two shots in the air
heightening tension along the border. Later, at a flag meeting, the Myanmar
side said the security beef-up on the border was for their internal security.