Myanmar claims military presence along border for internal security

Myanmar has claimed that they deployed military forces near the border with Bangladesh, where Rohingyas are camped, for internal security.

It defended the increased security presence during the talks between the countries’ border guard forces on Friday, said bdnews24.com

Myanmar Border Guard Police delegation refuted the claim of firing blank shots along the border.

They assured Bangladesh of informing it prior to doing anything like that along the border in the future.

Seven members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took part in the meeting that started around 3.15pm this afternoon and ended around 4.45pm.

BGB 34 Battalion Commander Lt Col Manjurul Hasan led the Bangladesh team at the talks.

The BGB official briefed the Bangladesh media after the meeting. 

“They claimed of deploying of soldiers and border guards near the border with heavy weaponry for security. They said it was totally over internal security concerns,” he said.

According to UNB, Manjurul Hasan said the Myanmar side wanted to know why the Bangladesh side was installing CC cameras along the border.

"In reply, we told them the installation of CC cameras was not targeted to Myanmar as those were installed for our own security," he said.

Manjurul Hasan claimed that the situation along the border was normal and Rohingyas staying on the no-man's land were doing fine.

Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) told BGB that they were prepared to take back Rohingyas staying on the zero line any time, he said.

The talks were held after Myanmar mobilised armed soldiers and border guards near the border fence with heavy weaponry on Thursday.

The same day, Dhaka summoned the Myanmar ambassador and asked him to tell the Myanmar authorities to immediately withdraw security forces along with military assets from the area.