47 Khumi Citizens from Myanmar Await Pushback
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Sandwiched by India, and Myanmar, push-ins here in Bangladesh are coming from both the neighboring countries. While BSF can sometimes be stopped, the Arakan Army poses a bigger problem. The 47 Khumi citizens from Myanmar who entered the country last Thursday have not yet been pushed back. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has confirmed this information to the media.
Local sources say that among the intruders are women, men, and several children.
Last Thursday, they entered Bangladesh through the international pillar no. 69-70 area along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Everyone took shelter in the Haiku Khumi Para village in Remakri Union, Thanchi Upazila.
The BGB has not made any official comment on the pushback. However, sources familiar with both sides of the border report that armed guerrillas of the Arakan Army drove the intruding Khumi people across the border. The Arakan Army has taken positions in the Plawa area across the border. Under these circumstances, sending the Khumi people back could be dangerous. Due to this fear, the BGB is not pushing them back.
Sources say the rebel Arakan Army has taken control of most of Rakhine State. They have been exerting various forms of pressure on Khumi citizens from the neighboring Chin State. A group of Khumi people, living in terror of the Arakan Army's armed activities, crossed the border and entered Bangladesh in the first wave.
Lt. Colonel Yasir Arafat Hossain, Commanding Officer of 38 BGB, which is on duty in the Bolipara zone, told the media on Friday that several suspected Khumi citizens have been detained. Steps for pushback will be taken after verifying their permanent addresses.
He said that if they cross over and enter the Khumi villages in Bangladesh, it will be somewhat difficult to identify them.
However, despite multiple attempts today, it was not possible for Agamir Somoy to speak with any BGB official concerned.
