Bangladesh has said that Myanmar is sending a ship to take back members of the Border Guard Police (BGP) who took shelter in Bandarban following internal clashes in Rakhine State.
Myanmar is working to finalize the route of the ship as the BGP members will return through the deep sea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said at the daily briefing on Thursday.
"Our ambassador met the Myanmar foreign minister in Naypyidaw and discussed the issue of repatriating those who came this time along with the BGP members," she said.
Asked whether the government would seek compensation from Myanmar for the deaths of Bangladeshis due to Myanmar's internal conflict, the spokesperson said the issue is being reviewed..
Bangladesh earlier summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Aung Kyaw Moe to protest the deaths of two people—a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man—when mortar shells fell on the Bangladesh side of the border in Tumbru.
The Myanmar Army and the rebel group Arakan Army engaged in combat in the Arakan, with several additional Bangladeshis suffering injuries from mortar shells or bullets.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has termed the spillover effect unexpected and unacceptable.
A total of 330 Myanmar forces personnel, including BGP members, army personnel, and immigration officials have taken shelter in Bangladesh since February 3, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Of them, 100 BGP members were handed over to the BGB under the Hnila BOP of Teknaf Upazila yesterday afternoon.
The ministry spokesperson urged all not to mix it up with the issue of sheltering Rohingyas.
“The BGP is a regular force of the Myanmar government. They sought shelter, and they have surrendered their weapons to our border guards, the BGB. The Myanmar government has also expressed its desire to have them return to their country from the very first day,” she said, while explaining the reason for giving them shelter.
