Momen warns of tough measures to curb smuggling from Myanmar

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the government has decided to take a strong stance against arms, drugs and human trafficking along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

The minister also said the government will give the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops permission to open fire, when necessary, to curb the rise in border crimes.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after handing over the keys of two ambulances provided by the Indian government at the MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet on Tuesday.

Dr Momen said: “Bangladesh is serious about putting an end to border killings. Thus, it was previously established that no shooting will take place along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.” 

Having said that, he told journalists that he had recently spoken to the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal about the steady rise in crimes along this border. 

“I have spoken to the home minister recently and it has been decided that BGB troops will have permission to open fire to stop all border crimes along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border,” Dr Momen added.

Regarding the killing of Rohingya leader Muhibullah, the minister said the man believed they belonged back in Rakhine and so was working to repatriate all Rohingyas who had taken refuge in Bangladesh. 

“He has given his life in pursuit of this purpose,” he said.

“We want the mystery of Muhibullah's murder to be revealed through proper investigation and the killer to be identified,” he added.