A total of 288 members of Myanmar government forces including Border Guard Police (BGP) and army personnel, who took shelter in Bangladesh due to conflict in other side of border, were repatriated by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) early Thursday.
They were handed over at BIWTA Ghat in Nunia Chara of Cox’s Bazar in presence of delegations from both countries.
They were transferred to a Myanmar ship waiting in the deep sea via a tugboat amid strict security.
Source said the Myanmar forces were taken to the BIWTA Ghat by 11 buses from Border Guard Government Primary School at Naikhongchhari in Bandarban at 5:30am. Prior to the handover, Myanmar officials confirmed the identities and checked the documentation of all returnees. Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Aung Kyaw Moe and officials of Bangladesh foreign ministry, BGB, Coast Guard and district administrations were, among others, present during this time.
Additional District Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar Md Yamin Hossain said a total of 288 Myanmar forces including BGB and army members, who fled to Bangladesh in last 1.5 months, were handed over to Myanmar authorities. They are returning to their homeland.
Earlier on February 15, a total of 330 members of Myanmar’s security forces, who fled to Bangladesh, were sent back to their country.