Bandarban
Residents of remote border village feel helpless in crossfire of geopolitics
Shafiul Alam, a resident of Ghumdhum’s Jalpaitoli, a once quiet village in the border district of Bandarban, is now counting his days wracked by a complex cocktail of human emotions. His life took an unexpected turn on February 5, as his mother lost her life when a stray mortar shell fired from Myanmar landed in their under-construction house, which also left his two children with shrapnel wounds on their feet, and took the life of a Rohingya construction worker.
He is not even in a situation to grieve properly as he has to think about how to treat his children with little to no help. The children only survived as they were inside their home at the time, while their grandmother was serving lunch to the construction worker.
2 SSC exam centres along BD-Myanmar border relocated
Bandarban's Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin and Superintendent of Police Saikat Shahin later paid a visit to the family. A mere donation of Tk 20,000 was offered as immediate assistance, but the bereaved family expressed dissatisfaction with the government's support process.
Their plea is clear: they seek international intervention to ensure justice and an end to their current situation of fearing for their lives every moment of the day.
Shafiul is not alone, the repercussions of Myanmar's civil war extend beyond Shafiul's family. Thousands of bordering residents of the country are now passing each day fearing for their lives.
Don’t want to share specific date but Myanmar security forces to go back soon: Hasan Mahmud
In Tumbru and surrounding areas, at least 12 people have been shot and injured, their suffering further exacerbated by the lack of medical treatment and government support.
The victims are now only pleading for assistance, to save their lives which reveals a bitter reality of the toll that geopolitical strife takes on ordinary lives.
Unidentified man’s body found along Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar
7 months ago
327 Myanmar security forces taking shelter in Bangladesh: BGB
Amid the ongoing conflicts along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, 63 more Myanmar forces and border guards have taken shelter in Bangladesh till Wednesday noon, taking the total number to 327, said BGB sources.
A total of 327 Myanmar forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials have taken shelter in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The 63 Myanmar forces have entered Bangladesh today with arms through Whaikhong in Teknaf border.
The BGB disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, the PRO said.
Read: What the BGB DG said during visit to Bangladesh-Myanmar border today
In a statement during his visit to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar today (February 7, 2024), Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, newly appointed Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), declared the force’s high alert status to address any potential border-related incidents.
During the visit, Major General Siddiqui underscores the BGB’s commitment to maintaining security and sovereignty while adhering to humanitarian principles and fostering positive international relations.
“The border situation is fully under control, and we are dedicated to managing it with patience, humanitarian considerations, and in a manner that respects our international obligations, as directed by the Prime Minister. Under no circumstances will illegal entry into Bangladesh be permitted,” Major General Siddiqui emphasized.
His remarks came during a thorough inspection of the border outposts at Tambru and Ghumdum areas within the Naikhongchhari upazila. This tour included assessments of the operational conditions and morale among BGB personnel stationed along this critical frontier.
Read: No more Rohingyas to be allowed in: New BGB Chief
A Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man were killed following an explosion of a mortar shell at a house in Jolpaitoli under Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district on Monday.
Besides, academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila have been suspended.
7 months ago
What the BGB DG said during visit to Bangladesh-Myanmar border today
In a statement during his visit to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar today (February 07, 2024), Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, newly appointed Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), declared the force’s high alert status to address any potential border-related incidents.
During the visit, Major General Siddiqui underscores the BGB’s commitment to maintaining security and sovereignty while adhering to humanitarian principles and fostering positive international relations.
“The border situation is fully under control, and we are dedicated to managing it with patience, humanitarian considerations, and in a manner that respects our international obligations, as directed by the Prime Minister. Under no circumstances will illegal entry into Bangladesh be permitted,” Major General Siddiqui emphasized.
His remarks came during a thorough inspection of the border outposts at Tambru and Ghumdum areas within the Naikhongchhari upazila. This tour included assessments of the operational conditions and morale among BGB personnel stationed along this critical frontier.
No more Rohingyas to be allowed in: New BGB Chief
Major General Siddiqui’s directive to the border guards highlighted the importance of professionalism and vigilance in safeguarding the border against any arising challenges.
Furthermore, the BGB Director General took a moment to inquire about the welfare of Myanmar security forces and army personnel who have sought refuge in Bangladesh during the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar. To date, Bangladesh has provided asylum to 264 members of the Myanmar forces, including Border Guard Police (BGP), army personnel, and immigration officials, amidst ongoing clashes with the Arakan Army.
The BGB has responsibly disarmed the asylum-seeking Myanmar forces, ensuring their safety and security within Bangladesh’s borders.
This series of actions by the BGB and its leadership reflects Bangladesh’s balanced approach to border security, combining strict enforcement with a compassionate response to regional instability and humanitarian needs.
Police working with BGB to ensure security at Bangladesh-Myanmar border: IGP
7 months ago
264 Myanmar forces including army men make their way into Bangladesh: BGB
As many as 264 Myanmar security forces have fled to Bangladesh amid clashes between the country’s military and the armed rebel group, Arakan Army.
A total of 264 Myanmar forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials have taken shelter in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The Myanmar forces have entered Bangladesh through Tumbru border in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district with arms and ammunition.
The BGB disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, he said.
Read: No more Rohingyas to be allowed in: New BGB Chief
The BGB PRO said members of the BGP started taking shelter in Bangladesh since Sunday morning.
A Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man were killed following an explosion of a mortar shell at a house in Jolpaitoli under Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district on Monday.
Amid the ongoing unrest along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila have been suspended.
The government has taken the decision considering the safety of the teachers and students. A notification was issued in this regard on Monday.
Meanwhile, Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, newly appointed director general of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), has said, “The border situation is now under control and we are trying to deal with the situation as humanely as possible while maintaining international relations.”
Until Monday night, 115 Myanmar forces had taken shelter in Bangladesh and 114 security personnel arrived till Tuesday morning while 35 more entered in the afternoon, he said.
Besides, 65 Rohingyas, who tried to enter the country by boats, were sent back, he said.
“No more Rohingya will be allowed,” said the BGB chief.
Read: Under-trial prisoner ‘tortured to death’ in Chattogram jail
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, earlier today, detailed the collaborative efforts of Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and local administration to maintain law and order at the Ghumdhum border in Bandarban, following directives from the government.
The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government.
It is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in Myanmar’s northeast. Along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army — operating together under the name of the Three Brotherhood Alliance — it launched a coordinated offensive on October 27, 2023 in northern Shan state along the border with China.
That offensive has posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The alliance says it has seized more than 250 military outposts, five official border crossings and a major city near the Chinese border, along with several important towns, according to an AP report.
Rakhine is where a brutal army counterinsurgency operation in 2017 drove about 740,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh. Rakhine is also known by its older name of Arakan.
8 months ago
Foreign Ministry summons Myanmar Ambassador
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (February 06, 2024) summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aung Kyaw Moe, and strongly protested the incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Director General (Myanmar wing) at the Foreign Ministry, Miah Md. Mainul Kabir, handed over the protest note to Myanmar Ambassador during a meeting at the state guest House Padma.
Two people, including a woman, were killed in reported shelling on a house at Jolpaitoli under Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district on Monday.
Read: What Foreign Minister said on Myanmar’s BGP men taking shelter in Bangladesh
One of the deceased was identified as Hosne Ara, 50, wife of Badsha Mia while the identity of the other could not be known immediately.
Myanmar has reached out to Bangladesh to take back members of Border Guard Police (BGP) who entered Bangladesh territory to save themselves amid conflicts there with the Arakan Army.
Read more: BGB, BGP regional commander-level conference begins in Cox’s Bazar
"We are in constant communication. They want to take back their BGP members. The Myanmar government is communicating with Bangladesh as they (BGP members) want to go back. There is communication from both ends," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
8 months ago
Here’s how many Myanmar border guards are taking shelter in Bangladesh, according to BGB
Seven more members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) have fled to Bangladesh amid clashes between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group, Arakan Army.
With them, the number of BGP personnel who took shelter in Bangladesh so far stands at 113.
Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said that 113 BGP members have so far entered Bangladesh through Tumbru border in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district with arms and ammunition, due to the ongoing clashes inside Myanmar.
The BGB disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, he said.
The BGB PRO said members of the BGP started taking shelter in Bangladesh since Sunday (February 04, 2024) morning.
Read more: 2 killed in 'shelling' in Bandarban's Ghumdhum
The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government.
It is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in Myanmar’s northeast. Along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army — operating together under the name of the Three Brotherhood Alliance — it launched a coordinated offensive on October 27, 2023 in northern Shan state along the border with China.
That offensive has posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The alliance says it has seized more than 250 military outposts, five official border crossings and a major city near the Chinese border, along with several important towns, according to an AP report.
Rakhine is where a brutal army counterinsurgency operation in 2017 drove about 740,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh. Rakhine is also known by its older name of Arakan.
Read more: What Foreign Minister said on Myanmar’s BGP men taking shelter in Bangladesh
8 months ago
2 killed in 'shelling' in Bandarban's Ghumdhum
Two people, including a woman, were killed in reported shelling on a house at Jolpaitoli under Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district on Monday (February 05, 2024).
One of the deceased was identified as Hosne Ara, 50, wife of Badsha Mia while the identity of the other could not be known immediately.
Myanmar violence spillovers: 7 Educational Institutions shut in Bandarban
Shafiqul Islam, Jolpaitoli Ward 1 member, said the explosion occurred around 2:30 pm inside Bangladesh and two people were found dead after the explosion.
ASP (Lama circle, Bandarban district) Md Nurul Anwar said he heard about the deaths of two people but they are yet to identify them.
37 more Nasaka personnel take shelter in Bangladesh; total number now 95
8 months ago
37 more Nasaka personnel take shelter in Bangladesh; total number now 95
Thirty-seven more members of Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) aka Nasaka have taken shelter in Bangladesh border amid a conflict between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
With this, the total number of Nasaka members who took shelter in Bangladesh stood at 95 till this morning (February 5, 2024), said Shariful Islam, public relations officer at Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Headquarters.
The BGB disarmed the Nasaka members and took them to a safe shelter, he said, adding that a process was underway to take action in this connection.
Read more: No more stray mortal shells from Myanmar to land in Bangladesh, hopes FM
Earlier on Sunday, 58 BGP members took shelter along the border, the BGB officer said.
UNB Cox’s Bazar correspondent reported that two Bangladeshis sustained bullet injuries during firing between Myanmar army and armed groups in Tumbru area along Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Sunday morning.
Locals said there has been a fierce conflict between the country's army and armed groups inside Myanmar over the past few days.
High-powered ammunition and explosives have been used and people in the border area of Ghumdhum have become tensed.
Read more: Out of options, Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat despite soaring death toll
8 months ago
Baklai Waterfall in Bandarban: How to Get to One of the Tallest Waterfalls in Bangladesh
While trekking through hilly paths, the most inaccessible trails offer the most beautiful scenery. When the natural sounds of the wild springs mingle with the hum from the hidden abyss, it soothes the ears of outdoor enthusiasts. And, if the trekking leads to the heart-pounding heights of one of the highest waterfalls in Bangladesh, the journey will surely be memorable. Let's delve into the travel route details to reach the Baklai Falls in Bandarban.
Significance and Geographical Location of Baklai Falls
With approximately 380 feet, Baklai falls stands as the focal point of Baklai village located at Nighting mouza under Thanchi upazila of Bandarban district.
The Baklai village is situated between Keokradong and Tazing Dong, the two significant hills of the country. The majestic Baklai waterfall is visible from a distance of 110 km from Ruma and 45 km from Thanchi.
Locally, the falls is also referred to as Baktalai Jharna. Due to extremely treacherous hilly roads and a lack of sufficient initiative, only a handful of tourists can reach the foot of this waterfall.
Read more: Trekking to Ham Ham Waterfall, Moulvibazar: On the Way to Pass the Impassable
The height of Baklai falls is close to Liluk or Langlok falls, which is also located in Thanchi. While doubts persist about the title of the country's highest waterfall, Baklai stands ahead in terms of sheer beauty.
How to Visit Baklai Waterfall in Bandarban from Dhaka
To reach Baklai Falls, Bandarban Sadar can be directly accessed from Dhaka through a bus route. Various buses depart for Bandarban from different points of Dhaka city including Gabtali, Kalyanpur, Kalabagan, Jatrabari, Mohakhali, or Fakirapool at fares ranging from Tk 850 to Tk 1,800 per person.
If traveling by train, travelers need to reach Chattogram first and then take a bus to reach Bandarban. Chattogram-bound trains departing from Kamalapur or Biman Bandar railway stations charge BDT 285 to BDT 788 per person, depending on the class levels.
Read more: Waterfalls in Bangladesh: Everlast Destination for Fountain Lovers
Flying from Dhaka to Chattogram takes around 1 hour and can cost between BDT 3,000 to BDT 11,175 per person. However, booking seats in advance, at least 1 month ahead, may offer a chance to get a discount on the ticket price.
Upon reaching Chattogram, the tourists can catch a Bandarban bus from BRTC or Dampara bus stand, with costs ranging from BDT 220 to BDT 300 per person.
8 months ago
Bandarban’s Chimbuk Hill: Travel Guide for the ‘Darjeeling of Bangladesh’
The hilly trenches of Bandarban offer a heavenly feeling from a surprising height. In Bangladesh, seeing white cotton clouds flowing is nothing new. Chimbuk Hill, known as the “Darjeeling of Bangladesh” for many years, has become a favorite destination for Bangladeshi trekkers. Let's delve into this magical place shrouded in clouds.
Location and Significance of Chimbuk Hill
This hill is also known as Kala Pahar to many locals in Thanchi of Bandarban, a hilly district in the Chattogram division. The distance from the place to the Bandarban district headquarters is about 26 km. Located approximately 2,500 feet above mean sea level, this natural wonder is the third-largest hill in Bangladesh.
Standing at this height, in addition to witnessing the sunrise and sunset, everyone can easily observe the cloud-covered mountains by turning 180 degrees.
Read more: Tazing Dong Trekking: In-Depth Travel Guide and Cost Details
Origin of the Naming of Chimbuk
Among the various ethnic communities living in and around these hilly areas, the Mros constitute the majority. Due to their long-standing settlement in the area, their language is reflected in the names of the hills, the jungles, villages, and Jhum fields.
Chimbok Mro was the original inhabitant of this hilly area, and that’s how the hill got its name, Chimbuk, after him. However, among the local Mro, it is still known as 'Yang Bong Hung.' The term 'Hung' is used to signify 'mountain' in the Mro language.
Best Time to Visit Chimbuk Hill
To enjoy panoramic views of the upazilas of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram from the hill's summit, tourists can visit the place during the summer months. During this period, the absence of fog allows for clear visibility of the scenes below. However, during the hot summer days, tourists can suffer from thirst, heat stroke and other health issues due to extreme summer heat.
If the aim is to witness the clouds over the hill, trips can be planned during the autumn and monsoon seasons. The beauty of clouds can be witnessed from September to July. But during the monsoon months the paths can be inaccessible due to heavy rain and landslides.
Read more: Kaptai hanging bridge in Rangamati opens to tourists after over one month
During the winter months, trekking Chimbuk hill can be enjoyable due to the availability of cool air.
Regardless of the season, be it hot or cold, the hill canopy on a full moon night maintains its pristine and authentic allure.
8 months ago