Teknaf, Bangladesh: Twenty Arakanese Rohingya Muslims, an ethnic minority of Burma, were pushed back into Burma from Sahapordip in Teknaf Upazila, while twenty four others were pushed back from Naikkhanchhari of Bandarban district by the BDR yesterday and on September 28, according to official sources.

According to Lt. Col. Abdul Khaleque, Commanding Officer of 42 Rifles Battalion Teknaf, 20 Arakanese Rohingya Muslims, including ten men, four women and six children, were pushed back to Burma yesterday afternoon through the Naff River from Sahapordip of Teknaf Upazila.

The Burmese citizens had entered Bangladesh illegally through the Sahapordip entry point under Teknaf police station of Cox's Bazaar district after crossing the Naff River. They had come from Akyab, provincial capital of Arakan State of Burma, he said.

BDR personnel arrested them when they arrived on the main land. Later, the BDR pushed them back to Myanmar through the river in a small fishing boat, he added.

Acting on a tip off, a police team raided Pan Bazaar, Para Paling Para, Duckpin Paling Para, Soberer Ghana and Amole Para of Ali Kadam Upazila early yesterday and arrested 14 Arakanese Rohingya Muslims, on charges of illegally crossing into Bangladeshi territory from Burma.

They were handed over to the 15 Rifles Battalion at Naikkhongchhari to push them back to Burma.

Earlier, on September 28 night, 10 Arakanese Rohingyas Muslims were arrested from different places of the same district. On the following day, after a flag meeting with Nasaka forces, they were pushed back into their country.

At least 1,200 Burmese (Arakanese Rohingya Muslim) citizens have already been pushed back by BDR from different cross border points during the last six months, according to BDR sources.