Our border is completely secure: Home adviser

Bangladesh's border with Myanmar remains fully secure despite the Arakan Army's control over the other side, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam said today (1 March).

"Our border is completely secure. There is no problem here," he said during the inaugural ceremony of the 64th Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya.

The adviser also acknowledged the challenges in importing goods from Myanmar, stating that traders must pay taxes to both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army when crossing the Naf River.

"This is a major problem, and the government is working to resolve it," he told reporters after an exchange meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture at the Cox's Bazar District Administrator's office this morning.

Inauguration of new BGB units

During his Cox's Bazar visit, the adviser formally hoisted the flag of the newly established 64 Battalion at the training ground of BGB's 34 Battalion in Ukhiya.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, GOC of Ramu Cantonment 10 Infantry Division and Area Commander Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam, and Air Vice Marshal AFM Shamimul Islam of Bangladesh Air Force Cox's Bazar Base were present at the event.

Highlighting security concerns, the adviser said, "The sensitivity of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has increased in recent years due to the ongoing conflict inside Myanmar."

Jahangir Alam expressed hope that the new battalion would play a crucial role in strengthening security, preventing illegal infiltration, and curbing smuggling, including narcotics such as yaba and crystal meth.

In response to questions about security concerns regarding the Arakan Army, he said, "There is a problem because the other country is Myanmar, but the Arakan Army now controls the border area. We do not know officially whether it will remain under Myanmar's authority or that of the Arakan Army in the future. So, we must maintain communication with both sides for border security."

He reiterated, however, that Bangladesh's border remains secure.

Meeting with district administration

Later in the day, at a view exchange meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Agriculture at the Cox's Bazar District Administrator's office, the adviser addressed economic and security concerns related to cross-border trade.

He pointed out that traders importing goods from Myanmar must pay taxes twice—once to the Myanmar government in Sittwe and again to the Arakan Army while crossing the Naf River border.

"This is a significant issue, and the government is actively working to resolve it," he said.

Regarding border security challenges, he highlighted the increasing influx of Rohingya refugees.

"Despite restrictions, around 60,000 Rohingyas have entered anew. Sometimes, we cannot stop them due to humanitarian reasons, and there is pressure from foreign entities not to send them back. We have requested increased assistance and cooperation from them," he said.

He also raised concerns about rising criminal activities in Cox's Bazar, particularly kidnappings.

"With 12 lakh Rohingyas residing here, many are involved in criminal activities, including abductions. The sooner they can be repatriated, the better it will be for us. The government is making efforts to expedite their return," the adviser said.

On border killings, the adviser said that the issue of stopping border killings has been given the highest priority in the BGB-BSF top level border conferences.

"Still, incidents like border killings are happening. We are trying to reduce them, though it is not entirely in our hands since they [BSF] are the ones using weapons," he said.

OC of Chakaria Police Station withdrawn

During the view exchange meeting, Jahangir Alam ordered the withdrawal of Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Manjur Quader Bhuiyan within 24 hours.

The decision came after local journalist Manjur Alam alleged that he had been detained and tortured at the police station. In response, the adviser called DIG Ahsan Habib Palash of the Chattogram Range and directed the OC's immediate withdrawal.

Officials from the Armed Forces, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), BGB, Ansar, Prisons Department, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Immigration and Passport Department, and Narcotics Control Department attended the meeting.