14 BGP members take refuge in Bangladesh in 24 hours

Five more members of the Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar have escaped their country and taken refuge in Bangladesh even before the passing of 24 hours.

On Sunday (April 14) night, these BGP members entered Bangladesh through Hoikang Kharankkhali and Jhimongkhali border of Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar.

Earlier, in the morning of the same day, nine BGP members with weapons entered Bangladesh to take shelter through Kharankhali border.

As such, a total of 14 BGP members took refuge in Bangladesh through Kharankhali border in Teknaf in one day.

In this regard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Teknaf-2 captain Lt Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said, “Due to various reasons including language problems, we could not confirm the identity completely. However, from the information collected, I have come to know that all of them are connected with the Myanmar border security force. The BGP members are at present in our custody.”

Earlier, on March 30, three army personnel escaped to Bangladesh through the Tumbru-Konapara border of Ghumdhum in Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban. Besides, on March 11, 179 BGP members escaped through the Jamchari border of Naikhongchhari. They are under the custody of the Naikshyanchari BGB battalion. The process of repatriating them to Myanmar is underway.

Mentionable, the clash between BGP and the Arakan Army started on the other side of the border of Naikhongchhari upazila from the night of February 2. Due to this, 330 Myanmar soldiers fled to Bangladesh between February 4 and February 7. Of them, 302 were BGP members, four BGP family members, two army personnel, 18 immigration personnel and four civilians. They were officially sent back on February 15.