Mixed reports over Nasaka's border activities
Friday, 24 April 2009
COX's BAZAR Apr 23 (bdnews24.com): Mixed reports came from Cox's Bazar Wednesday over Myanmar's disputed border fencing activities, including construction of an earthen weir within 80 yards of zero point.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) officials claimed Wednesday the neighbouring nation's border force Nasaka had ceased activities.
Lt Col Sakhawat Hossain, captain of Cox's Bazar-based 17 Rifles Battalion, told the news agency: "I visited that area of the border around noon today. Myanmar ceased construction of the weir after midday."
"Nasaka has managed to pile up earth along a 100 yard stretch, but it is no threat to us in any case," he said.
However, Majharul Anwar Chowdhury Sifat, Union Parisad chairman of Palongkhali, on the Myanmar border, said the construction of the weir was going on in 'full swing' with only a short break in the afternoon.
"They have already completed 300 yards of the weir since Monday," he added.
Myanmar began construction of the earthen embankment Monday within 80 yards of Border Pillar 20, opposite Palongkhali under Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar.
Myanmar army personnel and local Rakhain youths were assisting Nasaka, said locals of the sparsely populated border area.
Lt Col Sakhawat said Tuesday the Myanmar border force had invited BDR to company commander-level talks that might be held within a few days.
"A timetable has not been fixed yet," he said.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) officials claimed Wednesday the neighbouring nation's border force Nasaka had ceased activities.
Lt Col Sakhawat Hossain, captain of Cox's Bazar-based 17 Rifles Battalion, told the news agency: "I visited that area of the border around noon today. Myanmar ceased construction of the weir after midday."
"Nasaka has managed to pile up earth along a 100 yard stretch, but it is no threat to us in any case," he said.
However, Majharul Anwar Chowdhury Sifat, Union Parisad chairman of Palongkhali, on the Myanmar border, said the construction of the weir was going on in 'full swing' with only a short break in the afternoon.
"They have already completed 300 yards of the weir since Monday," he added.
Myanmar began construction of the earthen embankment Monday within 80 yards of Border Pillar 20, opposite Palongkhali under Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar.
Myanmar army personnel and local Rakhain youths were assisting Nasaka, said locals of the sparsely populated border area.
Lt Col Sakhawat said Tuesday the Myanmar border force had invited BDR to company commander-level talks that might be held within a few days.
"A timetable has not been fixed yet," he said.