The Bangladesh government has summoned the Myanmar ambassador
and strongly protested the matter
Dhaka has reacted strongly and lodged an official protest
against maps reportedly displayed on Myanmar government websites that show the
St Martin’s Island as part of the country’s territory.
The government on Saturday summoned Myanmar Ambassador in
Dhaka U Lwin Oo and strongly protested the matter, reports UNB.
Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (retd) M Khurshed Alam summoned the Myanmar envoy
to his office in the afternoon and handed over a strongly-worded protest note.
However, Myanmar Ambassador Lwin acknowledged the matter
saying that it was a "mistake" to show the St Martin's Island as part
of their own territory, according to a diplomat.
The island was never a part of Myanmar if anyone looks
back at the history since 1937.
It was part of British-India when Myanmar got separated
back in 1937, said an official adding that this means it was part of India.
"A clear line was drawn in between."
Also Read- No respite for St Martin's
biodiversity https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/special/2018/01/09/no-respite-st-martins-biodiversity
In 1974, it was clearly stated through a signed agreement
that the island is part of Bangladesh, said the official.
"Even when Bangladesh won the maritime boundary
dispute against Myanmar through International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
in March 2017, it was clearly mentioned that the island is part of
Bangladesh," the official said.
He went on saying: "There's no doubt. How could they
(Myanmar) claim St Martin's Island as part of their territory? It's a
deliberate attempt."
He reportedly asked the Myanmar envoy why the Myanmar
side carried out survey in St Martin's Island. "You can't do it. On what
basis you did it?" Khurshed Alam was quoted as telling the Myanmar envoy.
The maps were reportedly uploaded to two Myanmar
government websites showing St Martin's Island as a part of Myanmar's
territory.
The Myanmar envoy pledged to discuss the matter with his
government and convey Dhaka's concerns.
Earlier, Myanmar circulated a picture that claims to show
insurgents training, which is actually a photograph of freedom fighters during
the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
The Myanmar military later issued a rare apology
acknowledging that the photographs it published in a book on the crisis over
the Rohingya community were ”published incorrectly."
Source: DT