Bangladesh repatriates 330 Myanmar soldiers

Dhaka repatriates 330 Myanmar paramilitary soldiers and civilians who fled their posts amid clashes with insurgents.

Bangladesh on February 15 repatriated 330 of Myanmar’s paramilitary soldiers and civilians, more than a week after they fled their posts and took refuge in this country amid fierce clashes between government troops and insurgents.

The Myanmar paramilitary personnel, Army troops and civil officials fled their posts and offices in February first week from their bordering Rakhine State, many with weapons and after their arrival, they were disarmed and kept in the Border Guard Bangladesh custody.

“They were extended makeshift refuge on humanitarian grounds as they crossed the border to save their lives. But no more intrusion will be allowed in future,” paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) chief Major General Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui told newspersons at the repatriation site.

Officials and witnesses said the repatriation took place through the sea under the supervision of BGB, aided by the Bangladesh Navy, coastguard and other law enforcement agencies while a delegation of Myanmar’s paramilitary Border Guard Police (BGP) received them.

Myanmar BGP delegation leader, Lieutenant Colonel Myo Thura Naung received them at a makeshift canopy at the Inani beach after a roll call and identification by the junta-run country’s ambassador in Dhaka Aung Kyaw Moe.

Out of the 330 Myanmar nationals, 302 were BGP personnel while others were regular military soldiers, immigration officials and their family members, who got onboard Bangladesh tourist cruisers at a navy jetty at the Inani beach.