March
5, 2018
Undesirable
events and issues cropping up each day at the Western Gate of Myanmar in the
Rakhine State could be termed as motley assortments of disagreeable
occurrences. In the aftermath of deadly terrorist attacks on 25th August 2017,
agreed plans are being set to move ahead such as that of Myanmar for the
peaceful acceptance of the Bengali returnees and that of the Bangladeshi side
to repatriate people back to Myanmar, however, an unexpected and unwanted problem
emerges at the area of boundary line between the two countries. Predicament of
six thousand people staying on the dot of Myanmar soil and territory has jumped
up prompting to find solution.
Boundary
Line between the two countries
The
land space between boundary pillar number (34) and (35) in the midst of the
border line of Myanmar-Bangladesh demarcation and the Myanmar boundary fence
has started to grouped up with a few number of people and multiplied to six
thousand in a short time, creating a disturbing and worrying scenario. The
officials from two sides met and discussed on the issue and reached an
agreement. The people on the land space at boundary line have been transferred
to Kutupalong Refugee Camp and Balukhali Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, leaving
only one thousand people on the land, it is learnt.
In
this upsetting situation, problematic terms of reference have popped up. In the
sensitive and susceptible area around the boundary line between the two
countries, the land space where no person is being allowed to stay, dwell or
remain has been wrongly referred and quote as “No Man’s Land” and the “Zero
Line”.
Sovereign
State
If
one asked, whether the term of reference is vital, and then the answer is very
important. Union of Myanmar is a sovereign nation. A sovereign nation has the
characteristics and uniqueness of the boundary demarcation, the territorial
integrity, the population and the government. The boundary demarcation and
definition of a nation is very much vital for its sovereignty. Therefore, the
term of reference with regards to the boundary is to be accurate and precise.
In the course of diplomatic relations over the international affairs,
especially at the time of negotiations on bilateral relations between Myanmar
and Bangladesh, more caution and prudence is to be advocated and endorsed. It
should never ever be taken up lightly without due consideration.
In
fact, “No Man’s Land” is a term being defined as an area of land between the
borders of two countries or between two armies that is not controlled by either
side, and allowed no one to stay or remain.
Myanmar
has signed agreements with the neighboring countries on boundary line
demarcation mentioning the distances of both countries where no one is being
allowed to dwell or remain as well as banned and barred from construction of
buildings. The purpose of the agreement on the “Non-Construction Zone” is to
avoid the possible dent and disorder of connectivity of boundary line markers.
Moreover, if any discrepancy and disparity occurs on the territorial issue,
then the boundary demarcation line could be easily traced back.
Myanmar
is being accorded with the agreement from Bangladesh that no building is to be
constructed within 150 feet from boundary line. Therefore, no one is being
allowed to construct structure in that zonal area of 150 feet from boundary
line. The agreement has been exclusively included the boundary program
agreement and cooperation plan signed between the two governments on 19
December 1980.
In
Quest of solution
At
the moment, the land space under referral between the boundary pillar number
(34) and (35) in the midst of Myanmar-Bangladesh Boundary line and the
parameter fencing of Myanmar is the territorial land of Myanmar. It is
absolutely and completely not the “No Man’s Land” as there was no such
agreement whatsoever. Therefore, the “Non-Construction Zone” is never to be
referred as “No Man’s Land”. In order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding,
the land space should be termed as “Non-Construction Zone” of “Boundary
Demarcation Line”.
In
this regard, the English edition of the agreement has used the term “Boundary
Line”. In some international context, “Zero Line” is being referred. In line
with the existing Myanmar-Bangladesh Boundary Agreement, it is to be noted that
the term under referral must be used “Boundary Line”
If
and when the situation calls for face-to-face negotiations in quest of solution
between the two countries, the aspiration and desire of each citizen is to be
well prepared on the side of the country. At this juncture, the issue between
the two countries is being handled and sorted out bilaterally, but under the
sharp eyes of the international onlookers. It is therefore, the government and
the people must be cohesive, integrated and unified.
Constant
vigilance needed
It
is possible that there might be some terrorists among those remaining at the
boundary line, and the disturbing news creeps in that some terror organizations
gave directives to hold on tight and stay there if the Myanmar side asked them
to leave the land space. Moreover, the spreading of wrong information and fake
news are mounting to reap political advantage to an alarming extent. Fake news
such as that of life threatening situation is present inside Myanmar; that of
extreme food shortages in the country, and that of other fabricated news are
the whispering campaign of the so-called rights activists burning like wild
fire.
Amicable
result
At
this juncture, the two governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh must always
cooperate in finding a better solution and agreeable result. Therefore, the two
governments are negotiating and discussing.
The
first meeting of the repatriation plan for the persons who left Rakhine State
is being discussed among the repatriation Joint Working Group between the two
countries on 15 January and signed an agreement on 16. On 23 November 2017, an
arrangement was being signed at the ministerial level between Myanmar and
Bangladesh. In the initial stage, prescribed forms for verification by Myanmar
authorities were in the process for those who fled to Bangladesh after the
terrorist attacks on 9 October 2016 and 25 August 2017. Firstly, complete forms
with regards to (508) persons with Hindu faith and (750) persons with Muslim
faith were being handed over to the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary by Myanmar
side, according to the official release after the meeting of two countries.
Furthermore,
a list unveiling over 1000 ARSA terrorists has been entrusted into the hands of
Bangladeshi side by Myanmar officials, it was learnt
Forms
required to be revised
During
February 2018, a Myanmar delegation led by Home Affairs Union Minister
Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe paid an official visit to Bangladesh, where they
have received a list from Bangladeshi side mentioning 8000 returnees for
repatriation as first batch. Unfortunately, it was found that the prescribed
forms being filled up for necessary verification were not in conformity with
the forms provided by the Myanmar side. Therefore, to ensure the working plan
fine and smooth, the forms were being revised and amended by the officials of
Immigration and National Registration Department accordingly, it was learnt.
On
2 March 2018, Myanmar-Bangladesh battalion commander level of two countries met
and discussed over the schedules and plans for border patrolling and for the
exchange of security information. Matters relating to people remaining
illegally near the border, arrangements for joint patrols, and exchanging news
and information on occurrences along the border on a real-time basis were
discussed during the meeting.
On
23 January 2018, the sectoral plans on repatriation tasks on the Myanmar side
have been briefed and clarified by the responsible officials to the media
personnel that started the same day. In other words, Myanmar side made the
point clear that it has been doing what was earlier discussed and agreed
between the two sides.
At
this juncture, the relevant information is presented with regards to the
resettlement and the development tasks being implementing in Rakhine State. In
Rakhine State, certain committees are being formed for pragmatic approach
namely Implementation Committee on recommendations of Advisory Commission on
Rakhine State, (Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and
Development in Rakhine-UEHRD). Moreover, the State Counsellor and the high
ranking officials have been meeting with high dignitaries of international
organizations, where the guests are being clarified with ground reality over
the Rakhine episodes and incidents. Furthermore, the diplomats and envoys, the
international organizations, and the local and foreign media have already been
permitted to see and witness by themselves and comprehend well at the two
repatriation camps and the interim acceptance camp in Myanmar.
In
the aftermath of 2016 October incident, the local and foreign media have been
allowed and permitted to have access on news for eight times in Maungdaw area
and IDP camps in Rakhine State, it was learnt. In providing more accurate and
authentic information in Maungdaw District area, easily accessible Mayu FM
Radio Program airwaves via the languages of Bamar, Rakhine and Bengali have
been transmitting six times a day.
Implementing
with high observant
In
wrapping up the aim and purpose of this article, it is to convey, inform and
pass on the fact on one hand over the development tasks for Rakhine State
currently going on, and on the other hand, that the existing challenges and
complexities are being resolving with high perception. In the course of problem
solving, even the simple casual talk and the highly worded term of reference
are to be selected with wisdom, not to lead them into wrong notion.
The
author of this article wishes to submit the esteemed readers that it is my
privilege and honor to share that Myanmar side is implementing in good faith on
the Rakhine situation for the safety at the western gate of our beloved country
with high perception to avoid unnecessary and undesirable disadvantages.
Translated
by UMT
By
Shin Min
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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