Bangladesh-Myanmar border tension: ASEAN envoys to relay Bangladesh’s concerns

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) envoys stationed in Dhaka have said they will relay Bangladesh’s concerns over the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border to their capitals.

Acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral Md Khorshed Alam (retired) briefed the heads of missions from the southeast Asian countries in Dhaka Monday and informed them about the current situation in the bordering areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The acting foreign secretary conveyed the deep concerns of Bangladesh about the recent incidents of mortar shells falling and exploding inside Bangladesh territory from Myanmar, indiscriminate aerial firings, human fatalities and serious injuries, damage to the properties and livelihood of the people in the bordering areas with Myanmar, UNB reports.

On Sunday, Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe “acknowledged” the firing of multiple mortar shells into Bangladesh territory, but tried to deflect blame by asserting the insurgents they are engaged in the fighting were firing heavy artillery and mortars, some of which landed inside Bangladesh.

Bangladesh urged Myanmar to refrain from activities that inflict damage to the lives and livelihoods of people, noting that the ongoing situation is creating an atmosphere of “fear’ among the innocent people living in the bordering areas with Myanmar.