Desk Report,
Youth surrenders with AK-47 in Ukhiya, BGB says he is a member of the Arakan Army
A young man surrendered with weapons to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Balukhali border in Palangkhali union of Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar. He surrendered to the BGB members at around 9 am today, Monday.
Youth surrenders with AK-47 in Ukhiya, BGB says he is a member of the Arakan Army
The BGB says that the surrendered young man is a member of the armed group Arakan Army. He escaped from a camp in Maungdaw township of Myanmar’s Rakhine state and came to Bangladesh. He had an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 52 rounds of bullets. The Arakan Army member identified himself as Jiban Tanchangya (21). He claims that his home is in Gorjbunia village of Naikshongchhari upazila of Bandarban.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jasim Uddin, commander of BGB Ukhia 64 Battalion, said that the surrendered man claimed to be a citizen of Bangladesh. His identity and citizenship are being verified. During interrogation, he said that he fled the camp due to personal security risks. He claimed that at least 300 more Arakan Army members have escaped from the camp, some of whom could infiltrate into Bangladesh at any time.
The BGB said that the person along with weapons and ammunition has been taken into custody and the process of handing over to Ukhia Police Station is underway. Surveillance has been intensified to prevent infiltration at the border.
Meanwhile, local sources said that there was intermittent firing in Rakhine State across the Ghumdhum border in Naiksyangchhari at around 10 pm on Sunday. It is believed that there was a clash between the Arakan Army and the Arakan Salvation Army (ARSA) or Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO).
Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, commander of BGB Cox’s Bazar 34 Battalion, said that the firing took place about 300 meters away from the zero line. However, no bullets entered Bangladesh.
