Kaladan News

Date: Friday, September 03, 2004

Burma-Bangladesh Border Became Tension:

Cox’s Bazar, September 03: Burma-Bangladesh Border became tension after eight Bangladeshi businessmen were pushed back to Bangladesh border by Burmese authorities from Burma border, according to our correspondent.

After pushing back eight Bangladeshi businessmen by Burmese authority on 24^th August, the Burma–Bangladesh border has been closed so far. The reason behind is still unknown, the Daily Cox’s Bazar reported on August 25, 2004.

According to the local people of Teknaf, it is learnt that the said businessmen taking necessary documents from the immigration department of Teknaf, they went to Burma at noon on 24^th August 2004, and without any reason, the same day, they were pushed back to Bangladesh border by Burmese authorities. Afterwards, the tense situation is prevailed at Burma-Bangladesh border so far.

Police from Teknaf border belt of Bangladesh arrested about 165 Rohingyas including women and children. They were undocumented refugees from Teknaf makeshifts and some were from renting houses of Teknaf border belt, said in the Daily Cox’s Bazar of 20^th August 2004. 

But local people of Teknaf said that about 300 Rohingyas were arrested including some Rohingyas that holding Border Pass Burmese passports came to Bangladesh legally for business purposes.

Some people of Tekanf border belt said, “ Some Burmese border pass passport holders’ arrests provoked the Burmese authorities. So they pushed back Bangladeshi businessmen without any reason.”

Some people of border area said that it was related to grenade explosion in Dhaka on 21^st August 2004.

Police lodged passport cases against all the arrestees at Teknaf police Station and were sent to Cox’s Bazar jail.

On August 3, 2003, police of Teknaf attempted an operation at Teknaf border belt against the Rohingya people that were living in Teknaf living rented huts. They were gathered by police in front of the Teknaf upazila and have been living as undocumented refugees at makeshifts camp. ##

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