Bangladesh sends back 98 Rohingyas

At least 98 Rohingyas were sent back by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after they tried to enter the country illegally.

Trespassing at two different points of the Naf River and Ukhiya Border was prevented by the BGB personnel on Sunday.

"We raided two points of the river from 5am till 9am and pushed back at least 90 Rohingyas boarded on six boats," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Teknaf 2 BGB Commander Lt Col Abujar Al Zahid, as saying.

"At least eight Rohingyas were sent back as they were trying to enter into Bangladesh territory through Ukhiya's Palongkhali border," said Cox's Bazar BGB 34 Battalion Commanding Officer Lt Col Imran Ullah Sarker

Bangladesh has strengthened security along its border with Myanmar to prevent the entry of Rohingyas who are trying to cross into its territory illegally due to violence in the Rakhine state that has claimed lives of at least 86 people and displaced 30,000 others.

Myanmar troops launched a crackdown in the Rakhine state in response to attacks on three border posts on October 9 that killed nine police officers, since then many Rohingya Muslims have tried to move into Bangladesh illegally.

Accusations by Rohingyas and rights groups of raping women, torching houses and killing civilians during their operations has been denied by Myanmar and the military.

Rohingyas are not recognised by Myanmar as its citizens and are called Bengali by them.