Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has taken the highest alert position at the Naikhangchari border to prevent the entry of Roingyas fleeing Myanmar.

Reportedly, after renewed violence in Myanmar, Hindus and Buddhists are trying to enter Bangladesh, say BGB sources.

BGB sources say that on 4 January last, on Myanmar’s Independence Day, Buddhist rebels launched attacks on four police posts and killed 7 policemen. This triggered a new wave of unrest.

On 4 February last, 35 Rakhine families entered Bangladesh. The local villagers have united to help the newly arrived 160 persons with food.

Acting commander of Cox’s Bazar-34 BGB, Major Iqbal Ahmed, said, “There are some new complications in Myanmar, following which we got orders from the government to prevent any new entry of people.”

Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said, “The BGB is on alert to prevent the entry of people from Myanmar.”

After meeting UNHCR’s special envoy Angelina Jolie, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said, “The Bangladesh-Myanmar border has been shut to prevent any illegal entry of people.”

In August 2017, at least .7 million people from Muslim dominated province of Rakhine fled to Bangladesh to evade persecution, torture, rape and abuse launched by the Myanmar Army.

Bangladesh is trying to repatriate the large Rohingya population staying here and is unwilling to take new refugees.