Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) is alert but not concerned over the report that Myanmar has deployed three regular army battalions along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
“We’re yet to get any indication of army deployment by Myanmar from our troops deployed along the border. We’re watchful, but not worried over it,” BGB) Director General Major General Aziz told UNB on Saturday.
The BGB chief said he has heard about deployment of Myanmar army along the border from various sources but could not confirm it. “It’ll take time to be sure about it.”
Aziz also said as per the information they gathered from the BGB members engaged along the border along the Myanmar, there is nothing abnormal in sight there.
He, however, said Myanmar authorities can keep army near the border in ensuring security of the police force deployed along its border with Bangladesh after the disbandment of its border force Nasaka.
Asked what will be their steps if the Myanmar authorities deploy army along the border, the BGB DG said they will take every necessary measure depending on the evolving situation.
Meanwhile, Myanmar media, citing security sources, reported that the authorities have deployed three battalions from its army along the Bangladesh border to tighten security and the army has already camped within five miles from the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
Besides, two police battalions will be sent later, ELEVEN Myanmar reports quoting the Rakhine State Chief Minister as saying.
Northern and southern regions of Maungtaw are currently under the guard of the Myanmar police after the former Nasaka or the border guard force was disbanded.
The Maungtaw district governor proposed keeping one police station in each of north and south regions of Maungtaw during a meeting between Rakhine State government and General Administration Department.
According to another Myanmar media, Maungdaw Township Administrative Chief Kyi Than has urged the Rakhine State Minister of Security and Border Affairs Colonel Htein Lin to deploy more police to provide security in Maungdaw district, which is at a distance of five miles from the Bangladesh border.
Chief Kyi Than made the demand in a meeting between the Rakhine state government and the Rakhine state General Administrative Department held on September 17.
“After the Nasaka (Border Area Immigration Control Force) was dissolved, police battalions have provided security. But southern and the northern regions of Maungdaw District are border areas and security has to be tight. Therefore, I’ve asked Colonel Htein Lin to deploy more policemen in the area,” he said.
The state government informed that more than 700 security police have been deployed across Maungdaw district.
Attorney General Hla Thein said, “The Rakhine State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Htein Lin has informed us that that they are preparing to deploy two more security battalions.”
He added that in accordance with plans made by the Rakhine state Chief Minister and Commander of Western Command, Colonel Htein Lin has already deployed three army battalions and heavily armed policemen in the area.
The Nasaka was instituted for the border security in Rakhine State by the former junta in 1991. It comprised officers from the army, police, Customs Department and Immigration Department. It had 32 offices in 11 checkposts in Rakhine state.
Source: UNBConnect