The Myanmar army has reportedly flouted international rules by planting land mines within 100 yards along its border with Bangladesh, especially
opposite to Rezuamtali and Tombru border posts.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had notified Myanmar’s authorities about the violation, but they are yet to respond to Bangladesh’s concern, sources in the home ministry and the BGB said. The sources said the Myanmar army has planted land mines within 70 yards along border pillars 39 and 40 and 100 yards along border pillars 37 and 38 without informing Bangladesh.
Alarmed over the development, a Bangladeshi delegation, led by the foreign secretary, will fly to Yangon on Tuesday night to take up the issue with the authorities in the neighbouring country. The team will comprise the BGB’s sector commander in Cox’s Bazar. The delegation will urge the Myanmar government to sort out the issue of mines along the border, the sources added.
BGB director general Maj. Gen. Aziz Ahmed told The Independent that the Myanmar authorities cannot plant land mines within 150 yards along its border with Bangladesh as per international rules.
“Land mines are used during war but not duing peace time. The Myanmar authorities have planted land mines, flouting the international border norms,” he said.
The DG added that the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh runs through hilly and forested areas at several places, which are not fenced off by barded wires. If someone crosses the border, he or she may be killed by inadvertently stepping on a landmine planted by the Myanmar authorities, he said.
Maj Gen Ahmed said, “When we raise the issue with the Myanmar authorities, they don’t want to take any note of it. They (Myanmar) have also violated the border agreement.”
The BGB chief said that they have informed the government on the issue for taking necessary steps through diplomatic channels. He added that he has briefed the foreign secretary on the matter and requested him to discuss it with the Myanmar government during his visit.
He informed that DG-level talks between the BGB and the border guard of Myanmar, NASAKA, could not take place for the last three years because of the NASAKA’s failure to respond to the BGB’s communications. “And that’s why we cannot urge the Myanmar authorities to stop push-in of Rohingyas (Myanmar citizens) and smuggling of arms, drugs and other contrabands into Bangladesh from Myanmar through border points,”.
-With The Independent input
