Govt prepares ‘red line’ along eastern border

The government is preparing to establish a clear “red line” backed by credible deterrence along its eastern border, said Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Division, yesterday.

“Bangladesh is gradually developing its preparedness along the eastern border in response to repeated airspace violations and cross-border shelling linked to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State,” he said.

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He made the remarks at a discussion titled “Challenges of Rohingya Repatriation: International Politics and National Priorities”, organised by the Centre for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University.

“There is only one real choice for us -- active and sustained pressure for repatriation of Rohingyas backed by a coherent diplomatic, alongside a credible and sustainable security, strategy,” he said.

Security concerns have increased along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in recent years amid fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, which has taken control of about 90 percent of Rakhine State.

Shamsul said Bangladesh had shown “remarkable generosity” by sheltering the displaced Rohingyas for the past nine years, but accepting them as a permanent responsibility was “not morally or strategically viable” for Bangladesh.

“Our strategic position is well defined and principled: dignified, informed, safe and secure repatriation remains the principal viable solution to the Rohingya crisis,” he said.

“We are moving beyond quiet diplomacy” and will engage through the UN, ASEAN, OIC, China, India and other key partners to frame the Rohingya crisis as a regional security challenge and secure international responsibility for a durable solution, he said.

“A stateless, isolated and frustrated population concentrated inside the camps can be a breeding ground for radicalisation and armed actions. We must act before that day comes,” Shamsul said.

Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, former Bangladesh ambassador to Myanmar, called for combining security and diplomatic approaches.

“We need to have an understanding of our defence capabilities and also those of the Arakan Army and Myanmar. We also must understand that we have vulnerabilities. All our infrastructures are within the reach of Myanmar,” he said.

The programme included two panel discussions with Tun Khin, chairperson of the Arakan Rohingya National Council; DU Professor Syeda Rozana Rashid; Osmani Centre Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman; JU Professor Shahab Enam Khan; Rohingya politician U Aung Kyaw Moe; DU Centre for Genocide Studies Director Prof ASM Ali Ashraf; and DU Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam, among others.