Desk Report,
Is there nothing the government can do?
The border area of Naikshangchhari Upazila in Bandarban is facing a horrific reality. Landmine explosions have become a major threat to the normal life of the people there. In the last eight and a half years, at least 57 people have been injured in landmine explosions in Ghumdhum, Dochhari, Sadar and Ruma Remakriprangsa Unions of Naikshangchhari. Of these, 5 have died and 44 have lost their legs. This has become a major cause of concern for the border area.
Is there nothing the government can do?
Landmine explosions on the border have increased since the Rohingyas, who were displaced by the Myanmar army’s persecution and entered Bangladesh in 2017. Once controlled by the Myanmar Border Guard Force (BGP), this border area has been under the control of the country’s armed group Arakan Army (AA) since 2023. The number of people who have become disabled due to this is also increasing day by day. Just as families are suffering because the earning person has become disabled, those individuals are also becoming a burden to the family.
The BGB says that the mine explosions are taking place in Myanmar territory across the zero line of the border. People are being killed and injured because they illegally cross the border by evading BGB patrols. It is also said that people in the border area are being warned repeatedly. Since Myanmar has not signed the UN Mine Ban Treaty, they have no obligation to be accountable for their use of mines. Earlier, there was an opportunity to protest and negotiate with the BGB, but now there is no such opportunity due to the control of the Arakan Army.
How is it possible to deal with this crisis by only clarifying the issue of human responsibility? The innocent and poor people of the border area are going to the border areas to cut brooms or to feed their families, how can they be prevented from doing so, and how can they be ensured employment or livelihood? It is important to create international pressure against those who are taking advantage of this helplessness of the poor people. The issue should be raised regularly with various international forums and human rights organizations.
It is important to take effective and proactive diplomatic steps here. And it is the responsibility of the state to provide long-term rehabilitation and employment to the families affected by the mine explosion. It is not enough to just warn, we must stand by the victims, provide them with support to survive. In addition to strengthening security at the border, awareness activities for the border residents must be increased and they must be helped to create alternative sources of income. For this, the joint initiative of the government, international organizations and all local groups is the need of the hour.
