Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina accused neighbouring Myanmar of provoking a "war" amidst the Rohingya refugee crisis and said the country was alert.
PM Sheikh HasinaBangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina accused neighbouring Myanmar of provoking a "war" amidst the Rohingya refugee crisis and said the country was alert.
Hasina said, "The "close neighbour" showed such an attitude that they would engage in a war with Bangladesh. But, I alerted our army, BGB and police so that they must not be confused in the face of any provocation as long as I give an order."
Sheikh Hasina thanked the armed forces, paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and the people for their patience regarding the matter.
"Various quarters want to create a situation to divert things in different direction (but) we were very much cautious about that," she told.
Hasina said this at a reception accorded to her by Awami League at the VVIP lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after she returned home wrapping up her three-week visit to US and the UK.
The country's security forces also opened fire on Rohingyas, who gathered at the border to cross into Bangladesh. After the incidents of repeated airspace violation, Dhaka had warned Nay Pyi Taw that any more "provocative acts" could have "unwarranted consequences".
On Sep 15, the charged' affaires of the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka, Aung Myint, was summoned by the foreign ministry and a protest note was handed over to him.
'Rohingya crisis can be solved through discussion'
The prime minister, however, thanked the Myanmar government at least for their revised gesture in opening up talks against the backdrop of mounting global pressures.
"I think that this is a special aspect of the issue, I think there is an international pressure on them (and) we will be able to solve the problem gradually through discussion," Hasina said.
Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude to the people for extending their all out supports to the government's stance in providing shelters to over half a million victims of forced exodus from the neighbouring country.
'Rohingya to be re-located at Bhasan Char for security'
Sheikh Hasina said for natural and humanitarian reasons Bangladesh offered Rohingyas the shelter as they were exposed to brutal atrocities with their women, children and elderly people being the worst victims.
The premier said the hapless Rohingya people who fled to Bangladesh will be relocated from Cox's Bazar to offshore island of "Bhasan Char", while in the meantime, the civil administration, army, navy and air force, BGB, police and her party volunteers were working hard to mitigate their sufferings.
"Without waiting for any external assistance, we've made arrangement for accommodation, food and medicine drawing high global appreciation for accepting such a huge number of people by the Bangladesh government," she added.