Bangladesh strengthens border patrol to stop intrusion of Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar

Border Guard Bangladesh has strengthened security along the frontier with Myanmar to stop intrusion of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution by authorities in Myanmar.

Three platoon troops were sent to Teknaf border on Wednesday afternoon, BGB Teknaf-2 Battalion Commander Lt Col Abu Zar Al Jahid told bdnews24.com.

Besides deploying additional troops, a programme was launched to raise awareness among the people along the border against Rohingya intrusion.

BGB raising awareness among Bangladeshis against Rohingya intrusion.

Reuters has reported that Myanmar Army confirmed death of 130 Rohingya in recent drives responding to coordinated attacks on three border posts on Oct 9 that killed nine police officers.

The news agency said hundreds were trying to flee to Bangladesh by crossing the Naff river.

BGB official Jahid told bdnews24.com a group of 80 Rohingyas were stopped at the border and pushed back to Myanmar when they tried to enter Bangladesh through Hnila border on Tuesday morning.

"One or two Rohingyas always try to enter Bangladesh. But this (Tuesday's) attempt was the largest after the attack on Myanmar border check post by suspected Rohingya militants," he said.

BGB raising awareness among Bangladeshis against Rohingya intrusion.

The bloodshed by Myanmar Army is the most serious since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine in 2012, Reuters said in its report.

"It has exposed the lack of oversight of the military by the seven-month-old administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi," it said.

"They have locked down the district, where the vast majority of residents are Rohingya, shutting out aid workers and independent observers. The army has intensified its operation in the last seven days and has used choppers to reinforce, with dozens reported killed," it added.