Myanmar navy tightens security along Nat River and southern coast
Maungdaw -The Myanmar navy is planning to deploy warships and patrol boats along the Nat River and the southern coast of the country in an effort to tighten security in the region.
his decision comes in the wake of rumours that insurgents from Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) have secretly been entering border towns, a police officer from Border Gate No.1 in Maungdaw said.
Two speed boats armed with machine guns arrived in Maungdaw inthe last week of October. They are each equipped with 230-horsepower engines. They can drive up to 50 miles per hour.
Authorities have already inspected the speed boats, and the operation will be started soon. The boats will make weekly tours and are docked at Border Gate No.1.
Navy police forces are stationed at Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyaukpyu, Thandwe and Manaung and will use patrol boats will be used to monitor the coast.
Fishing boats from Bangladesh have secretly entered Myanmar to catch fish illegally in the Nat River, and some pirate boats pretended to be fishing boats and entered Myanmar’s territorial waters to attack the ships androb them. Robbers from Bangladesh have also entered Myanmar from border areas where fences are not built and committed kidnappings.
The Rakhine government launched a ceremony on October 19 to introduce the two speed boats and a patrol boat to be used in rescue operations.
