Bangladesh confirms blasts near Myanmar border

KOLKATA: Bangladesh has confirmed reports of landmine explosions along the border with Myanmar that appear to have been targeted at Rohingyas fleeing violence in Rakhine state. The Bangladeshi government lodged a protest in this regard, minister of state for foreign affairs Mohammed Shahriar Alam said in Kolkata on Monday. He spoke at the venue of a programme organised by the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.

“We have issued a ‘note verbale’ to the Myanmar authorities and mentioned this in our protest to the envoy of Myanmar in Dhaka,” said Alam. Bangladesh has evidence in the form of injured people and bodies of Rohingyas killed in the landmine explosions while crossing the border, he said. “Some of the people who had been fleeing Rakhine state had taken photos and captured videos of these incidents.

Moreover, we are hosting at least three injured individuals who have lost their legs or part of their bodies after the mine blast. In addition to this, we have recovered two dead bodies bearing extreme signs of the landmine explosions,” he said.

Myanmar has cracked down on the Rohingyas in response to militant attacks, triggering an exodus across border. Lauding India’s efforts in sending aid for the Rohingyas, he said, “Bangladesh does not depend on anybody’s aid. But we are grateful to friendly countries, which have been cooperating with us.” Claiming that India and Bangladesh are on the same page on the issue, Alam said the solution to the problem lies in diplomacy.