Dhaka, Nov 01: Bangladeshi security forces are on high alert along the border with Myanmar amidst reports that scores of 'Rohingyas' or Muslim refugees fleeing from alleged "torture and religious persecution" could sneak into the country. According to media reports, minority Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar have recently been attacked by that country's military.
Several thousand Muslims have gathered along the border in Myanmar's western Arakan province, and they may try to cross into Bangladesh, officials said quoting intelligence reports. Authorities have earlier asked paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to guard the border to thwart any attempt to infiltrate by the Muslim refugees.
The border has almost been sealed on Wednesday as a preemptive measure to keep the Rohingyas at bay, officials said.
Foreign Minister Morshed Khan yesterday said precautionary measures was taken to ward off any unwanted intrusion. Nearly quarter of a million Rohingyas entered into Bangladesh in early last decade as they fled Myanmar due to fear of torture, religious persecution and forced labour.
All but around 20,000 who fled Myanmar in 1991-92 returned home under an initiative of UN refugee body UNHCR .
Myanmar authorities agreed to take back all their remaining nationals during Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's visit to that country. Bureau Report