Bangladesh to install CCTV cameras along Naf River

By Admin 18 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 February 2023, Maungdaw

The Bangladeshi government is installing 200 CCTV cameras and sensors along the western bank of the Naf River in Teknaf, part of the Cox’s Bazar District, in an effort to deter drug smuggling and human trafficking.

One-hundred cameras and 100 underwater sensors will be set up along the shore of the Naf River this year, according to the Defence Research Forum-DefRes of Bangladesh.

“The Bangladeshi government’s plan to install CCTV cameras in the Naf River aims to monitor illegal crossing of the border and [drug] smuggling,” said former Arakan State lawmaker U Maung Ohn from Maungdaw Township

Arakanese politician U Pe Than agreed that the Bangladeshi government’s installation of CCTV cameras was likely for border security purposes, including to monitor the activities of armed organisations.

“It might want to monitor border crossings, either by Muslims or for smuggling. It might also want to monitor the movements of ARSA [Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army] and RSO [Rohingya Solidarity Organisation]. It might also want to monitor the movement of the ULA/AA [United League of Arakan/Arakan Army]. Their ultimate intention is to monitor for border security,” said U Pe Than.

The cameras will be covertly placed, and will be monitored by Bangladeshi special police agencies, according to the Defence Research Forum-DefRes.

The Naf River separates southeastern Bangladesh and western Myanmar’s Arakan State, flowing south into the Bay of Bengal.

Clashes have taken place in the vicinity of the river between Myanmar border guard police and ARSA, as well as between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.