“I express my deep concern over Myanmar’s air and naval exercises and massive military manoeuvers on the borders of the two countries. People of Bangladesh are apprehensive and concerned over setting up of barbed wire fence by Myanmar government, airport reconstruction adjacent to Bangladesh border including construction of bunkers, helicopter patrol by military officers, landing and take-off of military aircraft in the airbase in that area as well as battleship patrol in the sea. Apart from that, there has been an escalation in the influx of refugees; the incidents of push-back multiplied as well. Although the foreign minister of Myanmar declined any preparation of war, but we are not convinced by his statement as reports of preparation of war by Myanmar keep coming in. Therefore, Bangladeshi people’s concern over massive war preparation by Myanmar is understandable.

I gave a statement earlier on the last 15 October 2009 over escalation of tension in the borders of Bangladesh and Myanmar. I demanded the government’s clear stance regarding the prevailing tension on Bangladesh-Myanmar border. But the government has not given any clear statement till today, despite the fact that the preparation of war by Myanmar is continuing. For obvious reasons, the concern of people in Bangladesh is mounting. It appears that, for unknown reasons, the government is playing hide and seek not letting people know about the matter. It has become urgent to inform the people, as the security of Bangladesh is under imminent threat.

I hope that the government will inform people without wasting further time about the prevailing of tension between Bangladesh and Myanmar instead of keeping them in dark.”

 

Prof. Md. Tasneem Alam
Secretary, Publicity Department
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami