Clashes at Myanmar border heat up again

After a relatively calm night, the noises of shelling and gunshots again started to terrorize people Wednesday morning in the border villages of Ghumdhum Union in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari.

The signs of escalated conflict continued till the filing of this report at 11am.

Yusuf Ali, a local villager, told the Daily Samakal, "Yesterday the situation was calm. We spent the night in peace. But after 10:30 am today, loud sounds were heard several times. We are living in fear. Many people have sent their family members to safer locations."

After visiting the Ghumdhum and Tumbru areas, it was found that many houses were devoid of women and children. Only a man or two were present to guard the houses.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General (DG) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui visited Naikhongchhari at around 11:30am.

"Myanmar is ready to take back the 264 soldiers of Myanmar’s paramilitary Border Guard Police (BGP) who have taken refuge in Bangladesh," he said.

/KN/