The government will not permit any more entry from Myanmar because there are currently 1.2 million Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh, according to the home minister.
"We have clearly said we already have 1.2 million Rohingyas here. Whether Rohingya or anyone else, we will not allow anyone from Myanmar to settle here," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said today.
He said this in response to inquiries from reporters after "Highway Police Service Week-2024" was officially launched at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium of Rajarbagh Police Lines.
Some armed and some unarmed members of Myanmar`s Border Guard Police (BGP), government employees, possibly a few army personnel crossed into Bangladesh. The minister made reference to the continuing hostilities in Myanmar when he said, "But they came to save lives, not to fight."
According to Asaduzzaman, members of the Bangladeshi Border Guard (BGB) dismantled and arrested the people who had crossed the border while also provided medical assistance to the injured.
"Later, we informed them through the foreign ministry to take them back," he said.
He said that a message had been sent by Myanmar saying that the officials will be returned by ship.
"Hopefully, they will take back their members within one or two days. There is no conflict with us, there is no war, they are here out of self-defence," said Asaduzzaman.
The home minister reaffirmed Bangladesh`s strong position against permitting additional immigration from Myanmar with regard to future border security measures, emphasising that the country currently has a significant refugee burden.
He gave his word that the Coast Guard, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh would keep a close eye out to prevent unauthorized entry.
