Bangladesh protests Myanmar's use of term 'Bengal terrorists'

Bangladesh today protested Myanmar's description of Rohingya militants as "Bengal terrorists" and said none of its citizens have crossed the border to carry out such activities.

DHAKA: Bangladesh today protested Myanmar's description of Rohingya militants as "Bengal terrorists" and said none of its citizens have crossed the border to carry out such activities.

It also proposed a joint security campaign to drive out Rohingya militants from the Rakhina state of Myanmar.

"We have proposed to (Myanmar) acting ambassador a joint security campaign to drive out the so-called Arakan Army or any other Islamist militants" from the western Rakhaine state bordering Bangladesh, a foreign ministry spokesman told PTI.

He said the foreign ministry also protested Myanmar's description of such elements as "Bengal terrorists" as "they are actually Myanmar nationals and no Bangladeshi penetrated the Myanmar border to carry out such activities."

"Bangladesh gave the proposal to dispel Myanmar's security concerns," the spokesman said.

The envoy was called for the second time since Saturday when Bangladesh reminded Myanmar of its "state responsibility"

to protect its civilian population.

Bangladesh extended the proposal as thousands of ethnic minority Muslim Rohingyas continued to flee their home to take refuge in the neighbouring country while reports suggests that more than 100 people were killed in the crackdown launched by the Myanmar's army against militants.

"A huge number of people are coming from the Myanmar side but Border Guards is trying to send them back with a humanitarian attitude as we have seen the flickering flame on the other side...gunfire from helicopters," BGB chief Major General Abul Hossain told a media briefing.

The Rakhine state is home to more than a million Rohingya Muslims. Tens of thousands of Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh, accusing Myanmar authorities of ethnic persecution.

Hundreds of men from the persecuted Rohingya group appeared to have formed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claims to be leading the insurgency that has scorched the area since October last year. 

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