B Rifles intensifies patrol along southeastern border with Myanmar

Dhaka, Nov 8 (UNI) Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) today mobilised forces and intensified patrol from the country's southeastern Naikhongchari to Teknaf border following reports of heavy deployment of Myanmar border guards 'Nasaka'.

The BDR authorities also issued a red alert along the border to fend off any incident in the wake of Myanmar's installation of rig to explore oil and gas in the disputed maritime zone between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

''Because of the naval situation, the BDR intensified its patrol and increased BOPs from Naikhongchhari to Teknaf,'' Director Operation and Training at BDR HQs Col Mohammad Anisuzzaman told private UNB news agency.

A report from Bandarban hill district said additional forces deployed at border points have been camped in schools and government houses.

All roads to the border areas have been closed to members of the public, creating tension among the inhabitants.

BDR sector Commander Aktar Hossain today visited the border outposts and temporary camps and saw the preparedness to meet any challenge from across the border of Myanmar.

An intelligence source here said Bangladesh navy deployed eight war ships near the disputed waters and asked the foreign workers of Daweeo Company to dismantle the rig by November 10.

The source said indications are there that they started taking initial steps to dismantle the rig. But, another source said the rig is till there till this evening.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Myanmar are scheduled to meet in Dhaka on November 16 to discuss the delimitation of the maritime boundary between the two neighbours.

UNI XC RJ VC2238