Teknaf, Bangladesh: Twelve Arakanese Rohingya were arrested by Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) from Nazirpara Village in the Teknaf border area on August 13, while crossing the border illegally and trying to enter Bangladesh. Later, they were pushed back to Burma, said a local aide of BGB who declined to be named.
“They were arrested at night, at about 10 pm, while trying to enter Bangladesh after crossing the Naf River with two row boats near Nazirpara Village of Teknaf Upazilar. A group of BGB from Teknaf BGB camp led by BGB Company Commander Shaoraf, seeing the two boats with Rohingya approaching the Bangladesh side, went to the spot and arrested the Rohingya, including two women.”
“The arrested all hail from Maungdaw townships.”
It has not been confirmed why the group crossed the Burma-Bangladesh border. However, some said that they wanted to seek work in Bangladesh as they were unable to get jobs in Burma. Most Arakanese Rohingya are jobless in their own country. Some come to receive medical treatment, while some come to visit their relatives in the refugee camps, the BGB aide added.
“After arrest, the arrestees were not handed over to the police. Instead, the BGB personnel forced them all back to Burma at about 12 midnight from the point they came.”
According to a BGB officer from Teknaf BOP, the operation was launched by BGB personnel of Battalion 42 of Teknaf.
Earlier, a local from the border area reported that the BGB had sent some of the arrestees to jail, but now all of the Rohingya have been pushed back to Burma.
