Bangladesh stepped up security along its border with Myanmar following outbreaks of sectarian violence between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in the neighbouring country, officials said Sunday. PHOTO/ AFP
Bangladesh stepped up security along its border with Myanmar following outbreaks of sectarian violence between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in the neighbouring country, officials said Sunday.
Dhaka's border troops beefed up patrols in the Cox's Bazaar district, while police were being especially vigilant in the district's refugee camps, home to around 300,000 Rohingya, government administrator Jasim Uddin said.
The move comes after seven people were killed, 17 wounded and nearly 500 houses destroyed during two days of clashes between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in western Myanmar, the country's state media said.
Bangladeshi officials fear the violence could trigger a fresh influx of Rohingya.
Border Guard Bangladesh chief Major General Anwar Hossain told the Daily Star he had ordered enhanced patrols along the country's 200 kilometre (125 mile) frontier with Myanmar, a large part of which is separated by a river.
Despite the step, a bullet-hit Rohingya entered Bangladesh illegally Saturday and was arrested, deputy chief of Cox's Bazaar police Uttam Kumar told AFP.
Kumar said police had also boosted security in Rakhine temples in Cox's Bazaar "in an effort to prevent any repercussion of the Myanmar violence".
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