Clashes in Myanmar cause panic, displacement in bordering Bangladeshi union
GHUMDHUM CORRESPONDENT
The Ghumdhum border area in Bangladesh’s Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban has been plunged into a state of panic and displacement due to ongoing clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group.
Residents of the area have reported an increase in fear as the sound of gunfire and shelling intensifies, driving many to abandon their homes in search of safety.
On Tuesday (30 January), locals experienced a morning respite from the gunfire, but by the afternoon, the sounds of heavy weaponry had resumed.
Sources on the ground indicate that fierce clashes between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army are ongoing, with the Ghumdhum area bearing the brunt of this escalation.
In a recent incident, parts of a mortar shell, believed to have been fired from Myanmar, landed in a Bangladeshi household’s courtyard near the border.
Md Jahangir Aziz, chairman of the Ghumdhum Union Parishad, stated that the sound of gunfire and shelling from inside Myanmar was still audible as of today.
He expressed concern over the adverse impact of the conflict on the lives of local residents, given the area’s proximity to Myanmar.
In response to the heightened tensions, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has reportedly intensified patrols along the border, aiming to ensure security and prevent any potential infiltrations from Myanmar.
