A flag meeting was held between the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) and Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) on March 24 at the zero line of the Burma-Bangladesh border at Taungbro with the aim of easing tensions about the barbed wire fence ...
Ukhiya, Cox's Bazaar: A flag meeting was held between the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) and Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) on March 24 at the zero line of the Burma-Bangladesh border at Taungbro with the aim of easing tensions about the barbed wire fence between the two countries, said an official of BGB.
"We agreed with the Nasaka to sit discuss the current situation along the border on that day. The meeting was expected to reduce current border tension, and will help bring peace and stability along the border between the two countries.”
“The problem along the Burma-Bangladesh border has erupted as Burma has been constructing a barbed wire fence along the Taungbro border on the Burmese side within 70-to-80 yards from the zero line of the Bangladesh side without giving any information to the concerned Bangladeshi authorities. In fact, Burma has the right to build a fence 150 yards away from the zero line. In the area, Nasaka personnel recently restarted construction of the barbed wire fence along the border line.”
As a result, the flag meeting was held on March 24 at about 10 a.m. between Nasaka and the BGB at the zero line of the Burma-Bangladesh border near Taungbro Sub-township of Maungdaw Township. Major Myint Oo, the commander of Nasaka Area No. 3 led the Burmese delegation, while senior Naif Sofador Mujamel, the company Commander of Gongdaung BGB Camp, led the Bangladeshi group, said a source close to the BGB.
In addition, U Aung Ko, an immigration officer, and U Htay Aung, a police officer, also participated in the meeting, while Naif Sofadar Kutubi of Taungbro and a clerk from Bangladesh also attended the meeting. Security forces were deployed from both sides.
During the meeting, the BGB officer raised objections about the construction of the barbed wire fence so close to the zero line.
“Regarding this, Burma’s Nasaka commander admitted it, and said that it would be temporarily be stopped until orders come from a higher authority. We will appraise this matter with the higher authority,” said the Nasaka officer Captain Myint Oo.
The BGB was satisfied with the answer of the Nasaka commander, and returned to their camp. The meeting was adjourned at about 11 a.m.
The Nasaka recently changed their uniforms to combat suits, and their arms were also upgraded starting from March 27.
