Three Bangladeshi policemen and one civilian have been missing since March 13 after being arrested by Burma’s Nasaka for accidently crossing the border into Burma. Meanwhile the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was placed on high alert while they investigated the case of the missing men, according to Hossain, a local trader.
“A Nasaka patrol picked up them near the Gumdum border crossing last Wednesday at about 5 pm,” said Hossain.
Nasaka still haven’t released the Bangladesh nationals. They also delayed calls to organize a flag meeting between the 2 border patrols until Friday afternoon. When they finally agreed to discuss the incident with Bangladeshi officials it was stalled until last Monday causing considerable tension between the 2 sides.
During the Monday meeting, 25 Burmese officers took part led by Nasaka Major Chit Swe Thura from area 3 in Maungdaw Township. There were an equal number of Bangladeshi officers led by Lt. Col Mohammad Khalequzzaman, Commanding officer of BGB Battalion 17 and Major Mithadur Rahman, according to information obtained from a BGB aide.
It was expected the arrestees would be released during the meeting but Nasaka mistook several of the men’s names. For instance, Saiful Islam was mistaken for Saiful and Personal 178 for 157. As a result of the mix up, none of the men have been released.
However BGB remain hopeful that after Nasaka officers make the necessary corrections the men will finally been released to Bangladesh authorities.
The arrestees have been identified as Constables; Mohammad Imran Hossain from Ukhiya television sub-station, Irfan Sarkar and Mojibur Rahman both from Kutupalong refugee camp and civilian Saiful Islam.
