The Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ambassador of Myanmar, U Lwin Oo to Bangladesh seeking an explanation for the permanent structures that are being erected within 150 yards of the zero line of the border with Bangladesh along the Tombru canal at the Naikhongchhari upazila of the Bandarban district.
The zero line is the buffer zone between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Delwar Hossain, director general of the South East Asia wing of the Foreign Ministry, called Myanmar envoy to his office on Tuesday afternoon and handed over a diplomatic communication asking for a detailed explain behind the reason for building such structures, a senior diplomat told the Dhaka Tribune.
Under international law, no country can build structures 150 yards from the zero line to the border, he said, pointing out that exceptions can, however, be made upon the agreement between the countries.
“The ambassador, who came to the ministry with two of his colleagues, tried to dispute the Bangladesh’s claim, but assured the director general that Dhaka’s message would be sent to the authorities in Naypyidaw,” said the diplomat.
Director General Hossain also raised the issue of repatriation of more than a million Rohingya refugees that was scheduled to begin about a year ago, he said.
The Rohingyas, widely called one of the most persecuted communities in the world, fled to Bangladesh on August 25, 2017 from Rakhine, after a Myanmar military crackdown.
“When the ambassador was asked on the progress of the repatriation process, he responded by saying that Dhaka would be notified soon of the development,” the diplomat said.
The Myanmar Ambassador has been a frequent visitor to the Foreign Ministry over number transgressions made by Naypyidaw in the past.
The envoy on December 5, 2018 was called to the Foreign Ministry who lodged a strong protest for the derogatory remarks made by one Myanmar ministers about the Muslims living in their country.
Earlier, he was also summoned on November 7 for the strong objections made in regards to the Myanmar border police shooting into Bangladesh.
