BGB Hands Over 330 Myanmar Nationals To BGP

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has handed over 330 people, who fled in fear of their lives due to the ongoing conflict inside Myanmar, to the country's Border Guard Police (BGP).

This Thursday morning (February 15), amidst heightened security measures in the Cox's Bazar region of Bangladesh, Myanmar nationals were handed over to the BGP. This information has been confirmed through a press release by BGB.

The press release stated that among the transferred individuals, there are 302 BGP members seeking refuge, along with four BGP family members, one military personnel, 18 immigration officers, and four civilians, totaling 330 Myanmar nationals. Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, the BGB Inspector General, and the appointed Bangladeshi Ambassador to Myanmar, H.E. Ang Kyaw Moe, were present during the handover process.

Regarding the transfer of Myanmar nationals, the BGB Inspector General addressed journalists, stating, "For quite some time, there has been ongoing conflict within various factions of the Junta government in Myanmar. Recently, the effects of this internal conflict have spilled over to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border." He further added, "Since February 4, armed groups from Myanmar have attacked the Right and Left Camps of BGP in Tumbru, Ghumdhum, and Baishfari along the border of Bandarban district. Incidents of gunfire and conflict have also occurred in the areas of Kaiching Rang, Moidu, Godudhja, and Mandu in the border areas of Cox's Bazar."

As a result of the escalating situation, members of the BGP, military, police, immigration, and civilians from Myanmar have fled in fear and surrendered themselves, along with arms, to the BGB on the border.

The BGB Inspector General emphasized, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed us to maintain composure and continue our diplomatic relations while working to control the situation at the border. Following the Prime Minister's directives, the BGB has disarmed and provided safe refuge to the transferred Myanmar nationals, ensuring their safety. Among them, nine BGP members who suffered gunshot wounds have been sent for treatment to Chittagong Medical College Hospital and Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital."

He further stated, "In continuation of this initiative, today, a team comprising five BGP representatives, escorted by Bangladesh Coast Guard ship, will bring 330 Myanmar nationals to Bangladesh from the Jetty Ghata of Myanmar's Inani Naval Base."

The BGB Inspector General also added, "To ensure the safety of bordering civilians and their property, the BGB has intensified patrols and increased personnel along the border. The situation is under constant surveillance by the BGB. Regardless of the circumstances, no additional individuals from Myanmar will be allowed to enter Bangladesh through the border."