Dhaka Summons Myanmanr Envoy, Lodges Strong Protest

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested by calling the Myanmar Ambassador to Dhaka, Aung Kyaw Moe, over the death of two people in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, in a mortar shell fired from across the border.

Today, Tuesday (February 6), the ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He arrived at the Government Guest House Padma at 11 am.

Mian Muhammad Mainul Kabir, Director General of the Myanmar Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed concern over the ongoing situation along the border.

Fighting between the army and the insurgent group Arakan Army continues in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Heavy firing was heard intermittently yesterday as well from across the border. All in all, the conflict between the two sides of Rakhine is increasing the tension on the Bangladesh border.

In this situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is shaken. Dhaka issued a letter of protest to Nay Pyi Taw last Sunday due to the entry of members of Myanmar's border guard forces fleeing the resistance of the insurgent armed group Arakan Army and the casualties of people in the Bangladeshi part due to the Rakhine conflict. The protest letter sought an explanation as to why members of Myanmar's law and order forces entered Bangladesh. At the same time, it has been said to take back their members. The letter conveyed the message that Bangladesh is suffering due to the internal conflict in Myanmar and that such incidents should not be repeated.

In a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon, when asked about diplomatic steps in the situation in Myanmar, the Foreign Minister said, "We have uninterrupted communication."

On Monday morning, Bangladesh's ambassador to the country spoke with Myanmar's deputy foreign minister. Myanmar has said it will take back members of its border guards. Now the process of return is being discussed. He said, earlier, many border guards of Myanmar had entered India as well. From there the members were airlifted back.

Several rebel groups, including the Arakan Army, have been fighting fiercely in the border areas of Bangladesh and India for several weeks. They are fighting together against the Myanmar military. Insurgents have already taken over large areas of Rakhine, including several towns near the border.

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