Govt working to repatriate fled Myanmar security personnel: FM

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today has stated that Dhaka is maintaining communication with Myanmar authorities to facilitate the return of 177 Myanmar security personnel who sought refuge in Bangladesh amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the neighboring country.

“Yesterday, 177 (Myanmar) border guards entered here. With them, some civilians also entered but they were pushed back … like the previous occasion, this time we are discussing with Myanmar to send back their security personnel,” he told the reporters at the foreign ministry in the capital.

"Yesterday, a group of 177 Myanmar border guards crossed into our territory. Although some civilians accompanied them, they were promptly returned. Similar to previous instances, we are currently in discussions with Myanmar authorities to repatriate their security personnel," he told the reporters at the foreign ministry headquarters in the capital.

On Monday, security personnel from the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) crossed the border near Naikhyangchari in Bandarban and sought refuge in Bangladesh amidst their ongoing conflict with the ethnic rebel group Arakan Army.

Earlier, Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim made a courtesy call on foreign minister at the foreign ministry.

Regarding his meeting with the Malaysian envoy, the minister highlighted that they discussed various bilateral matters, with a particular emphasis on enhancing trade and commerce relations.

Hasan Mahmud said, “We discussed on how Malaysia can increase the investment at the special economic zones in Bangladesh.”

The Foreign Minister said they also discussed on various issues related to the labor market in Malaysia as well as welfare of the expatriate Bangladeshi workers currently residing in the South East Asian country.