The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sent back 37 Rohingyas, including children, entering Bangladesh through the Naf River on Saturday night.
The group, originating from Myanmar's Rakhine state, included 19 children, 11 women, and eight men.
They were intercepted near the Keruntali border point of Sadar Union in Teknaf upazila around 9pm, confirmed Lt Col Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of the Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, on Sunday morning.
"BGB members noticed a group of Rohingyas attempting to infiltrate via a boat at Keruntali point. The boat was intercepted, and the Rohingyas were forced to return to their homeland," said Mohiuddin.
He added that the boat crossed the zero line and headed back towards Myanmar.
He further explained that the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army (AA), an armed group, and the military in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has driven many Rohingyas to the banks of the Naf River in search of safe shelter.
"Homes are being burned in some areas, and desperate people seek refuge," he said.
Brokers in Myanmar, in exchange for large sums of money, promised to bring them to Bangladesh, and with the help of Bangladeshi brokers, they attempted to enter Teknaf.
However, the BGB’s strict border surveillance has successfully prevented such infiltration attempts, he added.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Adnan said: "I am aware of the incident. Rohingyas attempting to infiltrate through various border points are being detained and sent back to Myanmar via the Naf River."
