Returning home after 8 days, BGB soldier Razzak says he is fine

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) soldier Abdur Razzak says he is fine after eight days of captivity in Myanmar.

Mintu Chowdhurybdnews24.com
Published : 25 June 2015, 02:08 PM
Updated : 25 June 2015, 07:06 PM

Nayek Razzak was abducted by Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) following a shootout on the Naf River in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf on Jun 17 between border patrols of the two countries.

Another BGB soldier was shot in the incident caused by what the government says was a ‘misunderstanding’.

He was handed over to the BGB on Thursday afternoon after a five-hour-long flag meeting between the two forces in Myanmar’s Maungdaw.

BGB Cox’s Bazar Sector Deputy Commander Major Aminul Islam told bdnews24.com the medical officer of their team checked Razzak first after he was handed over around 4:15pm.

After that the seven-member BGB team that went to Myanmar earlier in the morning to negotiate Razzak’s release started for Bangladesh, Islam added.

Their boat arrived at the Teknaf Land Port’s immigration check post around 6:15pm.

“I am fine,” Razzak told reporters before the team started for BGB’s Teknaf headquarters.

BGB Nayek Abdur Razzak at Teknaf Land Port on Thursday.

BGB officials reach Teknaf along with Nayek Abdur Razzak after his release by Myanmar border police on Thursday.

A bearded Razzak in fatigues walked on to the boat terminal along with others amidst a drizzle. The man also had a cut on his nose.

He was silent when asked whether the BGP personnel had tortured him.

Asked about the cut on his nose, Razzak said he received that during scuffle when he was being taken away against his will.

“We retaliated when they (BGP) attacked us. I got injured on the nose during the scuffle. But I am fine now,” Razzak said describing the June 17 incident.

The news of his release has eased the weeklong tension at his village home in Natore.

His wife Asma Begum had given birth to their third child four days after Razzak was abducted.

His mother Bulbuli Begum said her grandson’s name will be finalised after Razzak reached home.

The flag meeting

The flag meeting to negotiate Razzak’s release started at Myanmar’s Dewan Nandi Hall around 10:30am.

Teknaf 42 BGB Commander Lt Col Md Abu Jar Al Jahid led the Bangladesh side, while BGP-2 Lt Col Thi Han headed the Myanmar team.

The BGB in a media statement said Myanmar also returned Razzak’s submachine gun, magazine and ammunition.

The two sides discussed ways to avoid such ‘untoward’ incidents.

Release unconditional

BGB Director General Aziz Ahmed told a press conference at the force’s Pilkhana headquarters in the afternoon that Razzak was brought back without meeting any conditions.

Myanmar had said Bangladesh would have to take in 555 boat people, rescued by its navy, along with Razzak.

The BGB chief said BGP at the flag meeting claimed Razzak was not in uniform when they detained him for crossing over to Myanmar’s waters on that day.

BGB officials reach Teknaf along with Nayek Abdur Razzak after his release by Myanmar border police on Thursday.

BGB Nayek Abdur Razzak at Teknaf Land Port on Thursday.

“We strongly protested their claims and told them that no BGB member goes on duty without being in uniform. And Razzak did not cross the border on that day,” he said.

“It was the BGP personnel who were not in uniform,” he added.

The BGB has also sought an explanation from the BGP about releasing a photo of Razzak in handcuff on their Facebook page, he said.

“They said they will look into that issue.”

He added they also demanded that BGP notify the BGB about their actions against those responsible after investigations.

Maj Gen Ahmed said they asked Myanmar’s border guards to honour the agreement signed between the neighbouring countries in 1980 to prevent such incident from happening again.

“From now on, BGB and BGP will share information and notify each other beforehand if the border needs to be crossed.”

A week of dithering

After Razzak’s abduction, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal had said a ‘misunderstanding’ led to the firefight.

On the following day, the foreign ministry summoned Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka Myo Myint Than and asked him to convey to his foreign office to take steps to return Razzak.

Nayek Abdur Razzak pictured on BGP’s Facebook page

His release was delayed, as Myanmar did not respond to calls for a flag meeting.

The BGP then posted photos of handcuffed Razzak, with blood oozing out from his nose, on its Facebook page.

The matter was discussed even in Parliament.

At one stage, Myanmar set the condition to return the BGB trooper.

State Minister Kamal said Myanmar went ‘too far’ by tagging the condition.

On Tuesday, BGB chief Maj Gen Ahmed told bdnews24.com Myanmar sent a letter saying it was ready to hold a flag meeting.

It was finally held on Thursday morning.