Security boost along border with Bangladesh
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Security is being intensified along the border with Bangladesh to prevent illegal immigration into Myanmar, according to the directorate of the Military Engineers' Office.
Construction of a 270-kilometre (168-mile) border fence began in 2008, but the lack of electricity in the border area has delayed plans to electrify the fence, an officer at the directorate said.
“We planned to electrify the fence, but our plan has been delayed because parts of Rakhine State do not have electricity. It may take a few years to complete the plan,” the officer said. The fence is damaged at least 50 times a year by wild elephants and people crossing the border illegally, the officer said.
Officials said border security would be increased until the fence is completed.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is spending about Ks 60 billion (nearly US$60 million) to build the fence, according to the directorate of the Military Engineers’ Office.
The border security was tightened following a gunfire exchange on May 28.
Bangladesh has lodged a protest with Myanmar over what it called an unprovoked attack against its border guards by Myanmar security forces on May 30, following an earlier exchange of fire in which one Bangladeshi guard was killed. Myanmar has given a different version of events and has warned Bangladesh it will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty or territory.
