Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) met in Maungdaw to discuss border concerns on Dec.2, according to a local businessman who didn’t want his name used.
BGB Operation commander S.M Kamurul Hassan of the Teknaf based Battalion-42 met with a Burma immigration officer and Nasaka officers based in Maungdaw.
During the two-hour meeting, the border security groups discussed how to co-operate to prevent the illegal entry of Rohingyas and stop the smuggling of goods and drugs. The auspicious timing of the meeting coincided with an increase of deportations of Muslims last month by the BGB. Both sides claiming that the stateless Rohingya are entering their respective countries are trying to seal the border.
After the meeting, Nasaka released 12 Bangladeshi fisherman arrested in Naiff river on Aug.26. In the last 12 years, Nasaka arrested 244 Bangladeshi - mostly fishermen and woodcutters. More than 232 Bangladeshi are believed to be languishing in Burmese jails, according to BGB Second Commander Major Mohammad Shoffiqur Rahaman from Battalion- 42 in Teknaf.
