February 17, 2018
Security forces fired blank shots over refugee camps in the no man’s land area of Taimbru on Thursday night, spelling fear among the refugees taking shelter in the area.
During the day, government officials announced over loudspeaker that the refugees must return to Myanmar under the terms and conditions put forward by the government or face grave consequences. They claimed the refugees were still squatting on land owned by the Myanmar government though under international law, the area does not fall under their jurisdiction. Aid to the refugee camps have however been provided under the supervision of the Bangladesh government.
Sources close to the government have confirmed that there is concern that with the presence of thousands of refugees in the no man’s land area, the area close to the border fence erected by Myanmar has fallen under the influence of Bangladesh. Relations between the two countries have reached its lowest point ever following a brutal military campaign that has resulted in the exodus of almost 700,000 people with thousands more trying to escape.
The situation in the no man’s land area has become critical after the visit of Deputy Home Minister Major General Aung Soe who ordered the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar on February 8.
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