The Border Guard Bangladesh and coastguard personnel pushed back eight boats carrying more than 300 Rohingys fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar.
According to BGB and police officials on Monday, the BGB and coastguard patrol teams intercepted the boats on the River Naf which flows between the two countries and sent the alleged refugees back across the border.
‘More than 300 Rohingyas, mostly women and children, were coming on eight boats from the Myanmar city of Akyab. All the boats have
been pushed back,’ acting commanding officer of BGB at Teknaf, major Shafiqur Rahman, told New Age.
Akyab is the former name of Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar’s western Rakhine state where sectarian violence flared last week, leaving at least 17 people dead and prompting the authorities to declare a state of emergency in the city.
According to the BGB, the Rohingyas were given water and food before they were turned back.
Security has been stepped up along Bangladesh’s 200km border with Myanmar to prevent a further influx of refugees.
Officials said that over 400,000 unregistered Rohingyas are already living in Bangladesh’s costal district, with only 24,000 officially registered in two refugee camps in Cox’s Bazaar.
They added that in last three days, some 10 people who fled Myanmar with bullet injuries, have been admitted to different hospitals and health centres and are currently receiving treatment. 
Trade and immigration activities between the two neighbours through Teknaf remained suspended since Myanmar authorities clamped a curfew in Maundaw on Sunday.