Mortar shell from Myanmar kills two in Bandarban

Two people - a Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man - were killed on Monday by a mortar shell fired from Myanmar near the Tumbru border in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari.

The victims were identified as Hasina Begum, a 52-year-old Bangladeshi woman, and a Rohingya man whose identity remains unconfirmed.

Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the local hospital, according to Abdul Mannan, officer-in-charge of the Naikhongchhari Police Station.

Amid heightened tensions along the Myanmar border, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the Bangladeshi armed forces and Border Guards (BGB) to exercise patience.

Law Minister Anisul Huq informed the House about the Prime Minister's directive on Monday evening. He said, "Bangladesh is closely monitoring the situation and necessary actions will be taken."

Referring to the deaths in Bandarban, The Financial Express Cox's Bazar correspondent on Monday reported that the incident has sparked fear among local residents. Many of them were fleeing the area.

Vehicular movement on nearby roads has been severely disrupted. The local administration has closed six educational institutions in the border area indefinitely.

Residents were staying indoors unless absolutely necessary. Shops in some border markets were shuttered.

"It's unsafe to stay here. I'm forced to leave and move elsewhere," said Mominur Rahman, a local of the upazila.

Another resident Rahim Ullah said, "Two people were killed by a shell hitting a house. Everyone is scared after this. People are leaving Ramu."

Ghumdhum Union Parishad Chairman Jahangir Aziz said local farming has stopped due to the raging fighting inside Myanmar.

Myanmar border guards crossing into BD to be sent back

Some 95 armed members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) fled into Bangladesh through the Tumbru border following clashes inside Myanmar on Sunday and Monday.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) disarmed them and took them to safety. BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam said 15 injured BGP members received medical treatment.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told reporters at the Foreign Services on Monday that Dhaka was in constant communication with Naypyidaw.

"They want to take back their BGP members. The Myanmar government is communicating with Bangladesh as they [BGP members] want to go back. There is communication from both ends."

The Foreign Minister said the Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh and Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister have communicated with the Foreign Ministry and conveyed that they would take back the BGP members.

"How they will be taken back - by air or by road - is now being discussed. You know that the members of Myanmar security forces also entered Indian territory earlier, but they were sent back by air. We will also send them back," Hasan said.

Schools declared shut in Bandarban

Amid the ongoing unrest along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, the academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district have been suspended.

The government has taken the decision considering the safety of the teachers and students of those schools in Ghumdum union.

The Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice, signed by its deputy secretary Akterunnahar, in this regard on Monday.

The schools are-Baishpari Government Primary School, Bhajbunia Government Primary School, Tambru Government Primary School, Paschimkul Tambru Government Primary School and Dakkhin Ghumdum Government Primary School.

The schools will remain shut until further notice.

BGB pushes back Rohingyas trying to enter through Teknaf

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday pushed back four Rohingyas while they were trying to enter Bangladesh through Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar district.

Commanding Officer of BGB Teknaf Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said four members of a Rohingya family were trying to enter Bangladesh through Whaikhong Ulubunia point of Teknaf on Monday afternoon.

Sensing their intention, the BGB members obstructed them and sent them back, he said.

Mohammad Fahim, a resident of the Whaikhong area, said a tense situation has been prevailing along the border with Myanmar amid clashes between Myanmar Army and a rebel group for several days. Some Rohingyas were staying along the Bangladesh border due to the tense situation in Myanmar and BGB members prevented them from entering Bangladesh, he said.

Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Additional Secretary), said no new Myanmar national will be allowed to enter the country.

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