Bangladesh condemns Myanmar attack

Expressing concern at the loss of innocent lives in clashes in Myanmar, Bangladesh underscored the need for arresting the perpetrators for bringing them to justice.

Taking note of coordinated attacks on the Border Guard Police posts in Rakhine State on October 10 and clashes that followed, Bangladesh today said it finds these developments in Rakhine, bordering Bangladesh, 'disturbing' and unequivocally condemns the attacks on Myanmar forces.

In a press statement the Foreign Ministry said, Bangladesh as a responsible neighbor on its own had sealed the borders with Myanmar in the early hours of October 10 to deny perpetrators easy escape.

Bangladesh apprehended two muslims of Rakhine State and handed them over to the authorities of Myanmar within a day. “Bangladesh authorities are in constant touch with their Myanmar counterparts and providing help as requested,” it said.

The Foreign Ministry said Bangladesh follows a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards violent extremism and terrorism of any form and their manifestation.

Bangladesh conducted a number of operations against Arakan Army and other ethnic armed groups originating from Myanmar in the recent times to help Myanmar.  Bangladesh returned two Tatmadaw members rescued from Arakan Army captivity last year.

“Bangladesh will continue to assist Myanmar in this time of need,” the statement said adding “Bangladesh believes that cooperation in these areas could be best realized under legal framework which Bangladesh has been stressing over two years.”

Such institutionalised cooperation is needed to comprehensively address all aspects of insecurity, from drug to human trafficking to gun running to civil commotion and internal disturbances to insurgency.