While Dhaka remains abuzz with debates over elections and reform, a far more dangerous development has taken place in Bandarban. Myanmar’s armed insurgent group, the Arakan Army, has organized an “Arakha Water Festival” deep within Bangladeshi territory. At this event, armed members of the Arakan Army took the stage to sing, dance, and deliver speeches. Their flags and insignia were displayed openly—making it appear as though a foreign occupation was being declared on Bangladesh’s soil.
The most alarming aspect is that a segment of the local hill population not only participated in the event but publicly expressed gratitude to the Arakan Army and pledged support for them. This stance poses a grave threat to national unity and is a blatant insult to state authority—a dangerous development for internal security.
Despite the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the festival location, no action was taken. This inaction raises serious questions: what exactly is the BGB protecting? Is this a case of strategic failure, or is it due to a lack of political will or instruction?
This incident is not an isolated event. It appears to be part of the Arakan Army’s broader, long-term strategy to exert cultural, political, and military influence inside Bangladesh. Their goal seems to be the creation of a shadow-state across the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The geopolitical backdrop only adds complexity. With China investing $9 billion in Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu Port, tapping into massive mineral reserves, and aiming to dominate maritime routes, major global players—China, the United States, Russia, and India—are all jostling for influence in this region. Against this backdrop, Dr. Yunus recently traveled to China and proclaimed that “Bangladesh is the sole guardian of the seas in this region.” In doing so, he signaled: keep me in power, and I will safeguard your dominance. This message has reportedly been conveyed not just to China but to the United States as well.
This dangerous geopolitical game is pushing Bangladesh toward becoming a proxy battleground for global superpowers. Our territory will be exploited, our security compromised, and only the foreign powers will stand to gain.
If we fail to grasp this reality today and do not build strong resistance, our future could resemble that of Gaza, Afghanistan, or Syria—marked by destruction, division, and subjugation.
