Bandarban Correspondent:
The ongoing conflict between the Myanmar junta government and the armed group Arakan Army has led to a series of landmine explosions in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border area in the past few months. Recently, many Bangladeshi citizens were killed and injured in a landmine explosion in the zero line area of Bangladesh in Naiksyangchhari upazila of Bandarban.
In this situation, local farmers and residents of the border areas are in grave danger. In particular, people who go near the border to bring cows and other livestock are often victims of landmine explosions. As a result, many are losing their lives and many are permanently disabled.
According to local sources, on May 5, two youths named Nurul Absar (18) and Md. Babu (17) were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in Naikshongchhari area of Bandarban. One of them lost his leg. There have been other incidents where people living on the border have faced death or been maimed.
The Arakan Army has been accused of planting landmines along the zero line of the Bangladesh border, in clear violation of international law. These mine explosions are not only dangerous for Bangladesh, but also endanger the lives of people living in the border areas.
On the other hand, locals have reported that members of the Arakan Army are extorting money from Bangladeshi citizens entering through the Myanmar gate and are carrying out horrific physical abuse. As a result, life has become even more difficult for people living in the border area.
In this situation, the Arakan Rohingya Organization (ARO), an organization that campaigns for the rights of the Rohingya, has strongly protested and called on the international community to take effective measures to stop these crimes.
In addition to strengthening security measures at Bangladesh's borders, there have been demands for the implementation of international law to protect Bangladeshi citizens.
