The escalating tensions on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border for over a month now are fuelling Rohingya infiltration into Bangladesh territory.
Since September 10, at least 10-15 Rohingyas have taken shelter in Kutupalong and Balukhali shelter camps in Cox’s Bazar, local sources confirmed.
Eshara Begum, 27, Sadek Hossain, 40, M Taher, 13, M Sharif, 9, Bibi Ayesha, 7, and Bibi Jannat, 3, are among the ones who recently fled from Akyab, also known as Sittwe, of Rakhine State.
The Myanmar military and Arakan Army have been fighting for a month in Myanmar territory just opposite the border in the Gumdhum area in Naikhongchhari of Bandarban.
Firing and artillery and mortar shelling continued on the Myanmar side, spreading panic on the Bangladesh side, particularly among locals and also among over 6,000 Rohingyas living in Tumbru no-man's land.
The Myanmar border security force, Border Guard Police (BGP), on August 28 hurled mortar shells at the Tumbru no-man’s land area. Two unexploded mortar shells were later recovered from the spot.
On September 3, Myanmar helicopters intruded to within 300 to 400 yards of Bangladeshi airspace at Naikhongchhari point several times. Shells and gunshots were fired from warplanes and helicopters, local people reported.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has already summoned the Myanmar envoy to Dhaka thrice over the issue.
However, the ongoing violent conflict between Myanmar troops and the rebel Arakan Army is fuelling the infiltration risk again, locals have alleged.
Abul Kashem (pseudonym), majhi of Camp-19 under Palongkhali Union near Gumdhum, said they have informed the camp in-charge about a few Rohingyas who fled from Myanmar.
Some other Rohingyas are also waiting on the other side of the border to enter Bangladesh through Gumdhum, Tumbru, Baishfari of Ukhiya, and Teknaf borders. They are planning to infiltrate once the heightened surveillance at borders by Bangladesh security forces is relaxed.
Gumdhum Union Jubo League Organizing Secretary and businessman Imam Hossain said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified its vigil in light of the tensions and expects that Rohingyas will not be allowed to enter again.
Ukhiya’s Palongkhali Union Parishad Chairman Gafur Chowdhury said they have information on Rohingyas trying to flee from Bolibazar and Shapbazar areas of Myanmar, which is 30 kilometres off the Bangladesh border.
Meanwhile, media reports have confirmed Rohingya infiltration into India due to the escalating tensions.
As many as 589 refugees, including women and children, landed in the border district of Lawngtlai in Mizoram, reports The Diplomat, quoting Deputy Commissioner Amol Srivastava.
Bangladesh’s Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Salma Ferdous acknowledged that there have been reports about some Rohingyas trying to enter Cox’s Bazar through different border points.
“However, we are not sure how true the reports are. We are collecting information,” she said.
Officer-in-Charge of Naikhongchhari police station Tantu Saha said Gumdhum is not under their jurisdiction.
Bangladesh has been under tremendous pressure due to sheltering the massive Rohingya population taking refuge in Cox’s Bazar since August 25, 2017. Over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees are now living in cramped camps at Cox’s Bazar and on Bhashan Char Island.