Bangladesh Increases Border Vigilance as Thousands of Rohingya Flee Myanmar, Reports Reuters

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA – Bangladesh has heightened security measures along its border with Myanmar as over 18,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed into the country in recent months to escape the growing violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, according to officials in Dhaka.

The surge of refugees is largely attributed to intensifying clashes between the military junta and the Arakan Army, a significant ethnic militia that draws support from the Buddhist majority.

"Thousands of Rohingya have sought refuge in Bangladesh, and many others are waiting to cross. The situation is dire," stated a foreign ministry official who preferred to remain anonymous due to protocols regarding media communication.

These new arrivals add to the more than one million Rohingya refugees already residing in overcrowded camps in the Cox’s Bazar district, following their exodus from Myanmar due to a military crackdown in 2017. They face grim prospects of returning to Myanmar, where they are mostly deprived of citizenship and fundamental rights.

The number of arrivals has more than doubled compared to earlier government estimates this month, despite repeated warnings from Bangladesh officials that the country cannot accommodate more Rohingya refugees given the already limited resources.

"The vigilance at the border has increased, but managing our 271 km (168 miles) boundary with Myanmar is difficult, particularly without a corresponding security presence on the other side," said another unnamed government official. "Many Rohingya are desperate and are finding ways to enter Bangladesh."

The government has yet to decide on whether to register those who have recently entered and are currently living in refugee camps. The foreign ministry official expressed concerns, stating that registering them could lead to an uncontrollable influx, which the country cannot manage. "However, how long can we overlook this issue? That is the significant question," he remarked.

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has advocated for expedited third-country resettlement for the Rohingya as a long-term solution. Nonetheless, the foreign ministry official noted that progress in resettling refugees has been limited. "Since the resettlement program resumed in 2022 after a 12-year hiatus, around 2,000 individuals have been relocated," he mentioned, adding that countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are among those accepting refugees.