Myanmar removes heavy weapons from border: Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today said Myanmar has removed its heavy weapons from Tambru border in Bandarban following a flag meeting held on yesterday.

The minister came up with the information replying to a query from reporters at a programme arranged by Metropolitan Cooperative Society in Farmgate area of Dhaka.

"During the flag meeting, the Myanmar authorities said they, upon receiving wrong information, deployed army and artillery along Tambru border in Naikkhongchhari of Bandarban," he said.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar will patrol their respective border areas in coordination from March 27, Asaduzzaman added.

Earlier on Thursday, BGB members were put on high alert as Myanmar army took position along the Tambru border in Naikkhongchhari of Bandarban with heavy arms and ammunition.

The Foreign Ministry summoned the Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka LwinOo over the deployment of troops and artillery and lodged its protest strongly.

In the wake of strong protest by Dhaka, Myanmar on Friday defended the deployment of troops and artillery along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border saying that it was done for internal security.