Bangladesh

Bangladesh seals border with Myanmar

Staff Correspondent
This photo taken on 27 February, 2018 shows Myanmar army personnel keeping watch as Myanmar workers build a fence along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, as seen from Tombru in the Bangladeshi district of Bandarban. Photo: AFP
This photo taken on 27 February, 2018 shows Myanmar army personnel keeping watch as Myanmar workers build a fence along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, as seen from Tombru in the Bangladeshi district of Bandarban. Photo: AFP


Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh-Myanmar border has been sealed off to stop further influx from Myanmar amid violence there, reports UNB.

"We had kept our border open for adequate people. We won't take anymore (new). We've sealed off the border," he said adding that it is better to see that others (countries except Bangladesh) keep open borders.

The foreign minister said they have heard that ethnic and religious groups, including Buddhists and Hindus, are trying to enter Bangladesh for safety amid fresh violence in Myanmar.

He was talking to reporters after his meeting with UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie and special envoy of the UN secretary general on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener.

Terming Jolie a big voice, the foreign minister said he conveyed her that Bangladesh wants all the Rohingyas to go back to their place of origin in Rakhine state safely.

"All of them should go back, as soon as possible," said the foreign minister.

He also said Myanmar should agree on a safe zone under the supervision of ASEAN in Rakhine for Rohingyas.

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