Cox’s Bazar Correspondent

Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the entire 271-kilometre border of Myanmar with Bangladesh is under the control of the Arakan Army.

“As a result, Bangladesh has to communicate with both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army regarding the border situation,” he said during a visit to the border region in Cox’s Bazar's Teknaf.

According to international media reports, the influence of the Arakan Army has been increasing in Rakhine State for several months and the Myanmar army is being forced to retreat from their camps.
The remaining Rohingya population in Rakhine are also facing life and death threats.

As a result, a large number of Rohingya are displaced.

According to media reports, there have been instances where armed groups of the Rohingya and the Arakan Army have clashed, resulting in casualties.
A government advisor recently told reporters that due to the ongoing conflict between the junta forces and the Arakan Army, an armed rebel group in Myanmar, over 60,000 Rohingya have sought refuge in camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

Many others are attempting to cross the border.

In light of this, the home advisor visited Teknaf to assess the situation at the border.

After discussing with the BGB personnel, he proceeded to the Naf River estuary in Damdamiya, where he observed the situation on the other side of the border.

When the issue of Rohingya infiltration was raised with the home advisor, he said: “The newly arrived Rohingya have not been registered.

“A high-level government decision on whether to register them is urgently needed.

“No decision has been made yet. The newly infiltrated Rohingya are facing humanitarian challenges, with many arriving severely injured.

“Consequently, sending them back has become highly complicated."

The newly arrived Rohingya are receiving essential food assistance through various channels, he said.

“Khalilur Rahman, a reliable expert on Myanmar and the Rohingya issue, has been appointed. He is monitoring the issue round the clock. Members of all forces, including the BGB, are performing their duties with utmost caution. Priority is being given to ensuring that law and order is always normal here,” he added.

In response to a question, Jahangir said: “Teknaf is known for its drug issue, which has been longstanding.

“There were some criminals in the Jaliardia Char on the Bangladesh side of the Naf River who had long controlled drug trafficking.

“After the current government took power, they were removed from there."

Bringing the drug problem under control will be a gradual process, he said.

He also emphasised the importance of cooperation and awareness from all segments of society, particularly religious leaders, in tackling the drug issue.

When asked about the fishing ban in the Naf River due to the war situation in Myanmar, he said: “The decision to reopen the corridor for fishing in the Naf River and importing cattle depends on the situation in Myanmar.

“At times, gunfire can be heard from the other side, and ammunition is found here.

“As a result, fishing in the Naf River has become unsafe. A decision on this matter will be possible only if the situation improves.

“Since cattle imports are currently closed, the country’s farmers are content, and there is no livestock crisis. If the situation improves, we can discuss reopening the corridor after consultations with both sides.”