ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Myanmar's ambassador and voiced strong concern after cross-border gunfire from the neighboring country wounded a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl in the border area of Cox’s Bazar.
In a statement issued in Dhaka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe over a recent incident of firing from Myanmar toward Bangladesh near the Whykong Union of Teknaf.
“A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing,” the ministry said.
Bangladesh said the shooting constituted “a blatant violation of international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationships,” and conveyed its protest to the Myanmar envoy, according to the foreign press statement.
The ministry said Bangladesh asked Myanmar “to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in the future.”
It also urged that “whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not in any way affect the lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh,” according to the statement.
The border areas of Teknaf have previously been affected by spillover violence linked to unrest inside Myanmar, raising concerns over civilian safety on the Bangladeshi side.
The statement said the Myanmar ambassador assured Bangladeshi officials that his government would act to prevent similar incidents.
“The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family,” the ministry said.
.jpg)
