Dhaka: The Foreign Ministry on Saturday summoned the Myanmar envoy in Dhaka and expressed 'serious concern' over the recent happenings, including the fresh entry of Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh.

Thousands of unarmed civilians, including women, children and elderly people from the Rakhine State, have assembled close to the border and are making attempts to enter Bangladesh.

Charge d' Affaires of Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka met the Secretary (Asia & Pacific) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mahbub Uz Zaman in the afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the evolving situation in Rakhine.

Zaman recalled the influx of Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh due to similar military operations in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on October 9 last year that resulted in about 85,000 of civilians crossing over to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has expressed 'serious concern' at the possibility of recurrence of such a situation as Bangladesh already hosts about four hundred thousand of Myanmar nationals, said a Foreign Ministry statement.

The Secretary also emphasised addressing the underlying root cause of the protracted problem through a comprehensive and inclusive approach.

Bangladesh has taken note of renewed clashes after the attacks on the Myanmar Border Guard Police posts in the Rakhine State on August 25, 2017.

Bangladesh condemned the attacks on Myanmar forces and expressed concern at the loss of innocent lives in those clashes that occurred following recent deployment of forces in Ratheedaung-Buthidaung areas.

Bangladesh stressed the need for respecting the state responsibility to protect its civilian population and urged Myanmar to ensure appropriate protection and shelter for the unarmed civilians, especially the vulnerable segments of the population such as women, children and elderly people.

Following its policy of 'zero tolerance' towards violent extremism and terrorism of any form and manifestation, Bangladesh assured Myanmar of its continued cooperation in dealing with these challenges.

Bangladesh also pointed out that the terrorist attack and clashes occurred at a time when the Rakhine Advisory Commission, popularly known as Kofi Annan Commission, made recommendations towards durable solution for the Rakhine State.

At least 89 people were killed as militants besieged border posts in northern Rakhine State of Myanmar on Friday. The attack triggered a fresh influx of refugees towards Bangladesh.

A total of 12 security officials had been killed alongside 77 'militants', Myanmar authorities said.

The government has directed the local administration in Cox's Bazar to employ its best efforts to restrict the entry of fresh Rohingyas into the country saying not a single person will be allowed in the name of 'humanity', our Cox's Bazar Correspondent reports.

"The government has directed to enforce the best efforts to stop any fresh influx and tackle the situation," said Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district Md Ali Hossain.

He, however, said the government is keeping the humanitarian aspect of the situation in mind with due sincerity. "That doesn't mean we'll have to bear the burden for years after years by allowing the entry of people from another country into Bangladesh."

This observation was made in an urgent meeting held at the Circuit House on Friday night attended by government officials, representatives of law enforcement agencies, politicians and others.

The meeting has decided to take stern action against those who will help Rohigyas enter Bangladesh. It also decided to punish those using the Naf River to help Rohingyas get into Bangladesh through mobile courts.

In the name of humanity, no more Rohingyas will be allowed in Bangladesh's land for the sake of its own existence and security, he told the meeting.

Police Super of the district Dr AKM Iqbal Hossain and Additional District Magistrate Khaled Mahmud were also present at the meeting.

Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard also sent back a boat carrying 56 Rohingyas, who tried to enter Bangladesh through Noyapara area of Teknaf upazila, in the early morning.

Meanwhile, two separate meetings were held on Saturday in Ukhia and Teknaf the respective UNOs in the chair.

The UP members and chairmen who were present at the meeting were given directives to follow government instructions so that not a single Rohingya can enter Bangladesh.