Teknaf, Bangladesh: A flag meeting was held between Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) on November 14, regarding the border matter. Nasaka returned six fishing boats with six crew members to BDR, said an aide of BDR from Teknaf who declined to e named.

A group of BDR numbering in five from Bangladesh side led by Commanding Officer-in-Charge of 42th Battalion of BDR stationed at Teknaf Lt. Col Mozammel  Hossain while five Nasaka personnel led by Major Nay Myo of Nasaka area No. 6 of Maungdaw Township from Burma side had been participated in the flag meeting. It was held at Maungdaw town in Arakan State.

They discussed about border smuggling, Rohingyas’ infiltration into Bangladesh, and drug smuggling. Besides, they discussed about the fishing boats of Bangladesh which were abducted by Nasaka while fishing in Bangladesh territorial waters two months ago.

In the meeting, the Nasaka handed over six fishing boats along with six crew members to BDR. Earlier, the Nasaka abducted 11 fishing boats from Bangladesh side, of them six fishing boats had been returned to BDR authority, the next five fishing boats will return soon, according to BDR officials.

Nasaka expressed their regret regarding the problem of fishing boats, and will solve the problems with discussion, if the problems be met in future between two countries.

This flag meeting was held by taking initiative of Nasaka before sending protest letter to Nasaka by BDR regarding the fishing boats, said a man who has close relation to BDR from Teknaf.   

The meeting was started at around 1:00 pm and ended 2:30:00 pm.

On November 5, there was also a flag meeting between two countries. There is strong relation between Burma and Bangladesh.