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Border Tensions Eased as Bangladesh Facilitates Repatriation of Myanmar Individuals
Bangladesh has successfully repatriated 330 individuals, including members of Myanmar’s army and Border Guard Police (BGP), who entered Bangladesh amid internal conflict at the border. The transfer was facilitated by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) with strict security measures, involving buses and naval transport. The repatriation process took place at the Inani Jetty in Cox’s Bazar, with the individuals transported to a waiting Myanmar Navy ship at the border. The group comprised 302 BGP members, four family members of BGP personnel, two army members, 18 immigration officials, and four civilians.
A delegation from Myanmar’s BGP, led by Police Colonel Myo Thura Naung, arrived at the Bangladesh border on a Bangladesh Coast Guard ship to oversee the repatriation. Myanmar Ambassador U Aung Kyaw Moe and other officials were present during the process. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal announced Myanmar’s agreement to take back their security force members on February 13, indicating a peaceful resolution to the situation.
The conflict in Rakhine state involving rebel factions has triggered clashes with Myanmar’s military junta, resulting in ongoing hostilities marked by gunfire, shelling, and rocket explosions. The conflict primarily revolves around control of a border camp, and there are reports of insurgent groups challenging the government army in different parts of Myanmar. The situation has raised concerns about casualties and the potential for escalation.
On February 5, two people were killed inside the Bangladesh border due to mortar shells reportedly fired from Myanmar, prompting heightened tensions. Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar spans 271.0 kilometers, and the recent unrest adds complexity to the region. In a separate incident on February 9, BGB personnel arrested 23 Rohingyas attempting to enter Bangladesh, seizing firearms and ammunition. The current crisis, however, appears unrelated to the Rohingya refugee situation that prompted Bangladesh’s significant role in providing shelter in 2017.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
