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Bangladesh for joint drive with Myanmar on border

| Updated: October 13, 2017 23:34:58


Photo: bdnews24.com Photo: bdnews24.com

Bangladesh proposed joint operations with Myanmar forces on the border along the Rakhine state to wipe out militant and extremist forces.

 

The foreign ministry of Bangladesh tabled a formal proposal to the Chargé d'affaires of Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka, Aung Myint, on Monday in the wake of the latest violence in the Muslim-dominated Myanmar state, reports bdnews24.com.

 

Myint met the Director General of South-East Asia wing Manjurul Karim at his office.

 

The government has been pushing such a proposal for long. “Now this is formal,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said.

 

“The chargé d'affaires thanked us for the proposal. He’ll convey this to his capital,” added the official who cannot be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

 

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has claimed responsibility for the latest attack on 30 police posts and an army base in Rakhine state on Friday.

 

At least 59 of the insurgents and 12 members of the security forces were killed.

 

Several thousand Rohingyas are currently occupying a four-mile stretch on the shore of the Naf River in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhia, awaiting decisions from Bangladesh authorities.

 

Bangladesh already hosts hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people who have been denied citizenship by the Myanmar authorities. The word ‘Rohingya’ is not used in the diplomatic exchanges.

 

After the latest violence, Dhaka expressed its “serious concern” over the situation and stressed the need for respecting the state responsibility to protect its civilians.

 

Bangladesh also pointed out that the terrorist attacks and clashes occurred at a time when the Rakhine Advisory Commission, popularly known as Kofi Annan Commission, made recommendations toward a durable solution for the Rakhine state.

 

During Monday’s meeting, Director General Karim also urged the Myanmar authorities to ensure civilian protection in the Rakhine state to prevent influx into Bangladesh.

 

He condemned the Myanmar government’s statement after the violence that used the term “Bengali terrorist” group.

 

The foreign ministry once again assured Myanmar of continued cooperation in dealing with the security challenges.

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