Naikhongchhari visit: Bandarban DC warns residents against going near border

The Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban and Superintendent of Police of the district today (September 19) visited locals at Naikhongchhari border in the wake of mortar shelling and firing from across Myanmar border.

"Locals are being requested not to go too close to the border," Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Yasmin Parvin Tibriji said during her visit today.

The local administration had earlier said they are planning to evacuate around 300 families in Ghumdum union of Bandarban's Naikhongchhari upazila.

Yasmin Parvin Tibriji, during the visit,  told the local representatives and residents that instructions have been given to take possible steps considering the safety of the local Bangladeshis.

According to local sources, the shelling between Myanmar army and the Arakan Army has been going on for more than a month on the Myanmar side, across the Bandarban border.

In the meantime, there have been casualties when shells fired from Myanmar side fell inside the Bangladesh border.

Villages bordering Myanmar including Ghumdhum, Tambru, Baish Phari, Kona Para of Naikhongchhari have been affected by the tensions at border.

People in these areas are not venturing out of their homes unless absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, educational activities of almost all schools of Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila have been halted.

The examination centre at Ghumdhum High School has been shifted to Ukhiya's Kutupalong in Cox's Bazar.

Ghumdhum UP member of Ward No 5 Anwar Hossain said discussions were held between the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the local public representatives on Sunday (September 18, 2022) on the possible steps to be taken for the safety of Bangladeshis living within 900 feet of the barbed wire of the border.

Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Salma Ferdous told The Daily Star that the higher authorities have been informed about the possible steps to be taken for the safety of about 400 Bangladeshi residents at the border.

Besides, police and BGB members have intensified patrolling.