Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, an adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, has stated that efforts are once again being made to push Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday (February 8) after inspecting the border area along the Asian Highway in the Dhumdhum Union of Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, he highlighted the ongoing situation at the frontier.
Hossain noted that the Asian Highway, which connects Myanmar and Bangladesh by land, can potentially enhance bilateral relations. “Today or tomorrow, a land port may be established here. However, due to the current situation in Arakan, cross-border connectivity is facing some disruptions,” he said.
Emphasizing Bangladesh’s geopolitical significance, he added, “For Arakan, Bangladesh is an important neighbor. The government has plans regarding a land port, which is why I have come to assess the situation firsthand.”
Regarding border security, Hossain reassured that the situation remains under control, with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) maintaining strong vigilance. However, he warned, “Attempts to push Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh from across the border are ongoing. The BGB is tackling the situation with strict measures.”
Also present during the visit were Manzarur Mannan, Chairman of the Land Port Authority; Abdullah Yamin, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar; Lt. Col. Mohammad Farooq Hossain Khan, Commanding Officer of the 34th BGB Battalion; and other senior government officials.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report/Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
