Rohingya Muslims are fleeing Bangladeshi refugee camps to avoid a controversial drive to repatriate them to Myanmar later this week, where the UN says conditions are still not conducive to their return.&nbsp;

Authorities plan to begin returning Rohingya refugees, who have fled what the UN has called ethnic cleansing, to the Buddhist majority country from Thursday.

But the prospect has created panic in the camps, prompting some families who were due to be among the first to be repatriated to flee, according to community leaders.&nbsp;

"The authorities repeatedly tried to motivate the ones on the returning refugee list to go back. But instead, they were intimidated and fled to other camps," said Nur Islam, from Jamtoli refugee camp.

More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state following a military crackdown from August last year, bringing with them stories of murders, rapes and torture.

They have joined some 300,000 Rohingya already living in squalid camps in Bangladesh's southeast for years.

Some 2,260 Rohingya are scheduled to enter Myanmar from Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district in the first repatriations from Thursday.

Director general of Bangladesh's foreign ministry Delwar Hossain said the refugees would be repatriated in groups of 150 each day during the initial phase.

"Both sides have agreed to start repatriation on November 15," he told AFP on Tuesday, adding it remained a voluntary process.

Confusion and fear&nbsp;

But Nur Islam said the plan has created "massive confusion and fear" among the Rohingya and many were unwilling to return to Rakhine unless they were guaranteed citizenship and other rights.

An AFP correspondent was able to speak to three families who said they were due to leave this week.

"We are truly disturbed by the entire issue. As the day is coming closer, our tension is rising," Mohammad Khaleque, a Rohingya refugee told AFP.

He said he and his family were fleeing their camp for another makeshift Rohingya settlement in Cox's Bazar, in an effort to avoid being forcibly repatriated.

"I don't see a future for my family if we're forcibly sent back home right now without confirming that we would get full Myanmar citizenship," he said.

"We don't want to go back like this."

But a small number of Hindus from Rakhine, who also fled the violence alongside the Rohingya, said they were ready to return if the passage was safe.

"We have prepared out bags. We would go today, if sufficient security was provided," said 60-year-old Jyotsna Bala Paul, one of roughly 400 Hindu refugees that community leaders say are ready to leave Bangladesh.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which received a list from the Bangladesh government on Monday to assess whether the refugees wanted to go back to Myanmar voluntarily, said the start date of November 15 was an "ambitious plan".

UNHCR senior spokesman Chris Melzer said "logistical problems" needed to be solved first.

"This is the matter of the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Although we still think that the conditions are not conducive now for the refugees to return in Myanmar," he told AFP.

The UN assessment may take at least two more days, according to both UN and Bangladesh officials.

Bangladesh refugee commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said the country was ready to start repatriating the refugees via two transit points they have set up at the border.

An AFP team visited both the centres. One appeared complete while the construction of the second was "over 80 percent" finished, according to builders.

A Bangladeshi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that the Rohingya refugees were not "mentally ready" for returning.

"They often say to us they would rather die here in the (Bangladeshi) camps than to go back and embrace the harrowing pain they have already experienced," he said.

Rohingya Muslims are fleeing Bangladeshi refugee camps to avoid a controversial drive to repatriate them to Myanmar later this week, where the UN says conditions are still not conducive to their return.

Rohingya Muslims are fleeing Bangladeshi refugee camps to avoid a controversial drive to repatriate them to Myanmar later this week, where the UN says conditions are still not conducive to their return. Authorities plan to begin returning Rohingya refugees, who have fled what the UN has called ethnic cleansing, to the Buddhist majority country from Thursday. But the prospect has created panic in the camps, prompting some families who were due to be among the first to be repatriated to flee, according to community leaders. "The authorities repeatedly tried to motivate the ones on the returning refugee list to go back. But instead, they were intimidated and fled to other camps," said Nur Islam, from Jamtoli refugee camp. More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state following a military crackdown from August last year, bringing with them stories of murders, rapes and torture. They have joined some 300,000 Rohingya already living in squalid camps in Bangladesh's southeast for years. Some 2,260 Rohingya are scheduled to enter Myanmar from Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district in the first repatriations from Thursday. Director general of Bangladesh's foreign ministry Delwar Hossain said the refugees would be repatriated in groups of 150 each day during the initial phase. "Both sides have agreed to start repatriation on November 15," he told AFP on Tuesday, adding it remained a voluntary process. Confusion and fear But Nur Islam said the plan has created "massive confusion and fear" among the Rohingya and many were unwilling to return to Rakhine unless they were guaranteed citizenship and other rights. An AFP correspondent was able to speak to three families who said they were due to leave this week. "We are truly disturbed by the entire issue. As the day is coming closer, our tension is rising," Mohammad Khaleque, a Rohingya refugee told AFP. He said he and his family were fleeing their camp for another makeshift Rohingya settlement in Cox's Bazar, in an effort to avoid being forcibly repatriated. "I don't see a future for my family if we're forcibly sent back home right now without confirming that we would get full Myanmar citizenship," he said. "We don't want to go back like this." But a small number of Hindus from Rakhine, who also fled the violence alongside the Rohingya, said they were ready to return if the passage was safe. "We have prepared out bags. We would go today, if sufficient security was provided," said 60-year-old Jyotsna Bala Paul, one of roughly 400 Hindu refugees that community leaders say are ready to leave Bangladesh. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which received a list from the Bangladesh government on Monday to assess whether the refugees wanted to go back to Myanmar voluntarily, said the start date of November 15 was an "ambitious plan". UNHCR senior spokesman Chris Melzer said "logistical problems" needed to be solved first. "This is the matter of the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Although we still think that the conditions are not conducive now for the refugees to return in Myanmar," he told AFP. The UN assessment may take at least two more days, according to both UN and Bangladesh officials. Bangladesh refugee commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said the country was ready to start repatriating the refugees via two transit points they have set up at the border. An AFP team visited both the centres. One appeared complete while the construction of the second was "over 80 percent" finished, according to builders. A Bangladeshi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that the Rohingya refugees were not "mentally ready" for returning. "They often say to us they would rather die here in the (Bangladeshi) camps than to go back and embrace the harrowing pain they have already experienced," he said.

Rohingya flee camps fearing forcible return to Myanmar

Myanmar authorities and citizens leapt to the defence of Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday after Amnesty International stripped her of its top award over indifference to atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims, doubling down on support for the civilian leader in the face of global ire.

Suu Kyi's international reputation as a rights icon is in pieces and Amnesty's move is the latest in a string of rescinded accolades.

Canada revoked her honorary citizenship last month and the US Holocaust Museum in March took back an award named after concentration camp survivor Elie Wiesel.

Institutions that once showered Suu Kyi with titles are rapidly distancing themselves from a leader they argue is doing little in the face of alleged genocide and ethnic cleansing against its Rohingya minority.

Amnesty's "Ambassador of Conscience Award" was bestowed in 2009 and other recipients include Nelson Mandela,&nbsp;Malala Yousafzai and Ai Wei Wei.

"Today, we are profoundly dismayed that you no longer represent a symbol of hope, courage, and the undying defence of human rights," Amnesty International chief Kumi Naidoo&nbsp;said in a letter to Suu Kyi released by the group.

"Amnesty International cannot justify your continued status as a recipient of the Ambassador of Conscience award and so with great sadness we are hereby withdrawing it from you."

But domestically, Suu Kyi remains popular across vast swathes of Myanmar and within her party, the National League for Democracy, which won elections in 2015 ending decades of military-backed rule.

The stripping of awards not only harms the "dignity" of Suu Kyi, but also that of all NLD members, the party's spokesman Myo Nyunt told AFP, adding he thought this was all part of a wider conspiracy.

"All these organisations are working for the Bengalis who have left the country in order to get citizenship," he said, using a pejorative term for the Rohingya that is widely accepted in Myanmar and falsely implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Deputy Minister for Information Aung Hla Tun told AFP he was personally sad and disappointed by Amnesty's announcement and said Suu Kyi was being treated "unfairly".

Such moves would only "make the people love her more", he added.

People on the street in Yangon were defiant.

"Their withdrawal is pretty childish. It's like when children aren't getting along with each other and take back their toys," 50-year-old Khin Maung Aye said.

"We don't need their prize," said Htay Htay, 60.

More than 720,000 Rohingya were driven over the border to Bangladesh in a crackdown that started in August 2017, and refugees have detailed horrific testimony of murder, rape, torture and arson.

The military says it was defending itself against Rohingya militants.

UN investigators have called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide and accused Suu Kyi's government of complicity, though has stopped short of calling for her to be hauled before a court.

Suu Kyi became a democracy icon after spearheading the opposition movement to the feared military junta, which resulted in her spending some 15 years under house arrest before her release in 2010.

She has yet to comment on Amnesty's decision herself but has in the past shrugged off questions about withdrawn awards.

Calls to revoke Suu Kyi's 1991 Nobel Peace Prize have been rebuffed by the committee that oversees it.

Some think, however, that Amnesty's move will be taken more personally because she became a cause celebre for the rights group during her house arrest.

"This is effectively an excommunication of Suu Kyi from the pantheon of human rights champions," Yangon-based independent analyst David Mathieson said, adding that the decision would "sting".

Myanmar authorities and citizens leapt to the defence of Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday after Amnesty International stripped her of its top award over indifference to atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims, doubling down on support for the civilian leader in the face of global ire.

Myanmar authorities and citizens leapt to the defence of Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday after Amnesty International stripped her of its top award over indifference to atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims, doubling down on support for the civilian leader in the face of global ire. Suu Kyi's international reputation as a rights icon is in pieces and Amnesty's move is the latest in a string of rescinded accolades. Canada revoked her honorary citizenship last month and the US Holocaust Museum in March took back an award named after concentration camp survivor Elie Wiesel. Institutions that once showered Suu Kyi with titles are rapidly distancing themselves from a leader they argue is doing little in the face of alleged genocide and ethnic cleansing against its Rohingya minority. Amnesty's "Ambassador of Conscience Award" was bestowed in 2009 and other recipients include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai and Ai Wei Wei. "Today, we are profoundly dismayed that you no longer represent a symbol of hope, courage, and the undying defence of human rights," Amnesty International chief Kumi Naidoo said in a letter to Suu Kyi released by the group. "Amnesty International cannot justify your continued status as a recipient of the Ambassador of Conscience award and so with great sadness we are hereby withdrawing it from you." But domestically, Suu Kyi remains popular across vast swathes of Myanmar and within her party, the National League for Democracy, which won elections in 2015 ending decades of military-backed rule. The stripping of awards not only harms the "dignity" of Suu Kyi, but also that of all NLD members, the party's spokesman Myo Nyunt told AFP, adding he thought this was all part of a wider conspiracy. "All these organisations are working for the Bengalis who have left the country in order to get citizenship," he said, using a pejorative term for the Rohingya that is widely accepted in Myanmar and falsely implies they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Deputy Minister for Information Aung Hla Tun told AFP he was personally sad and disappointed by Amnesty's announcement and said Suu Kyi was being treated "unfairly". Such moves would only "make the people love her more", he added. People on the street in Yangon were defiant. "Their withdrawal is pretty childish. It's like when children aren't getting along with each other and take back their toys," 50-year-old Khin Maung Aye said. "We don't need their prize," said Htay Htay, 60. More than 720,000 Rohingya were driven over the border to Bangladesh in a crackdown that started in August 2017, and refugees have detailed horrific testimony of murder, rape, torture and arson. The military says it was defending itself against Rohingya militants. UN investigators have called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide and accused Suu Kyi's government of complicity, though has stopped short of calling for her to be hauled before a court. Suu Kyi became a democracy icon after spearheading the opposition movement to the feared military junta, which resulted in her spending some 15 years under house arrest before her release in 2010. She has yet to comment on Amnesty's decision herself but has in the past shrugged off questions about withdrawn awards. Calls to revoke Suu Kyi's 1991 Nobel Peace Prize have been rebuffed by the committee that oversees it. Some think, however, that Amnesty's move will be taken more personally because she became a cause celebre for the rights group during her house arrest. "This is effectively an excommunication of Suu Kyi from the pantheon of human rights champions," Yangon-based independent analyst David Mathieson said, adding that the decision would "sting".

'We don't need their prize': Myanmar defiant as Amnesty pulls Suu Kyi award

Amnesty International has withdrawn its most prestigious human rights prize from Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing the Myanmar leader of perpetuating human rights abuses by not speaking out about violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Once hailed as a champion in the fight for democracy, Suu Kyi has been stripped of a series of international honours over a Rohingya exodus that began in August 2017.

More than 700,000 members of the mostly stateless group fled across Myanmar's western border into Bangladesh after the Myanmar military launched a crackdown in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks on the security forces.

UN-mandated investigators have accused the military of unleashing a campaign of killings, rape and arson with "genocidal intent".

Suu Kyi's administration rejected the findings as one-sided, and said the military action was engaged in a legitimate counterinsurgency operation.

The international human rights group named Suu Kyi as its 2009 Ambassador of Conscience Award recipient when she was still under house arrest for her opposition to Myanmar's oppressive military junta.

In the eight years since she was released, Suu Kyi led her party to election victory in 2015 and set up a government the following year, but she has to share power with generals and has no oversight over the security forces.

Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday she had failed to speak out and had "shielded the security forces from accountability" for the violence against the Rohingya, calling it a "shameful betrayal of the values she once stood for".

The global advocacy organisation's secretary general, Kumi Naidoo, wrote to Suu Kyi on Sunday saying the group was withdrawing the award because it was "profoundly dismayed that you no longer represent a symbol of hope, courage, and the undying defence of human rights".

Zaw Htay, the Myanmar government's main spokesman, did not pick up Reuters calls seeking comment on Monday.

In March, the US&nbsp;Holocaust Memorial Museum rescinded its top award from Suu Kyi and she has had other honours withdrawn, including the freedom of the cities of Dublin and Oxford, England, over the Rohingya crisis.

In September, Canada's parliament voted to strip Suu Kyi of her honorary citizenship.

Critics have called for her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize to be withdrawn but the foundation that oversees the award said it would not do so.

Amnesty International also said Suu Kyi had not condemned military abuses in conflicts between the army and ethnic minority guerrillas in northern Myanmar and her government had imposed restrictions on access by humanitarian groups.

Her government had also failed to stop attacks on freedom of speech, it said.

Amnesty International has withdrawn its most prestigious human rights prize from Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing the Myanmar leader of perpetuating human rights abuses by not speaking out about violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Amnesty International has withdrawn its most prestigious human rights prize from Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing the Myanmar leader of perpetuating human rights abuses by not speaking out about violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Once hailed as a champion in the fight for democracy, Suu Kyi has been stripped of a series of international honours over a Rohingya exodus that began in August 2017. More than 700,000 members of the mostly stateless group fled across Myanmar's western border into Bangladesh after the Myanmar military launched a crackdown in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks on the security forces. UN-mandated investigators have accused the military of unleashing a campaign of killings, rape and arson with "genocidal intent". Suu Kyi's administration rejected the findings as one-sided, and said the military action was engaged in a legitimate counterinsurgency operation. The international human rights group named Suu Kyi as its 2009 Ambassador of Conscience Award recipient when she was still under house arrest for her opposition to Myanmar's oppressive military junta. In the eight years since she was released, Suu Kyi led her party to election victory in 2015 and set up a government the following year, but she has to share power with generals and has no oversight over the security forces. Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday she had failed to speak out and had "shielded the security forces from accountability" for the violence against the Rohingya, calling it a "shameful betrayal of the values she once stood for". The global advocacy organisation's secretary general, Kumi Naidoo, wrote to Suu Kyi on Sunday saying the group was withdrawing the award because it was "profoundly dismayed that you no longer represent a symbol of hope, courage, and the undying defence of human rights". Zaw Htay, the Myanmar government's main spokesman, did not pick up Reuters calls seeking comment on Monday. In March, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum rescinded its top award from Suu Kyi and she has had other honours withdrawn, including the freedom of the cities of Dublin and Oxford, England, over the Rohingya crisis. In September, Canada's parliament voted to strip Suu Kyi of her honorary citizenship. Critics have called for her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize to be withdrawn but the foundation that oversees the award said it would not do so. Amnesty International also said Suu Kyi had not condemned military abuses in conflicts between the army and ethnic minority guerrillas in northern Myanmar and her government had imposed restrictions on access by humanitarian groups. Her government had also failed to stop attacks on freedom of speech, it said.

Amnesty International strips Myanmar's Suu Kyi of 'conscience' award

Bangladesh/YANGON (Reuters) - Dozens of Rohingya Muslim families on a list of refugees set to be repatriated to Myanmar later this week have fled from camps in Bangladesh where they were living, a Rohingya leader said on Monday, even as Myanmar prepares to begin receiving them.

"Most of the people on the list have fled to avoid being repatriated," said Abdus Salam, a Rohingya leader at the Jamtoli camp, some 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, adding most have fled to other neighbouring camps to avoid being detected and forced to return against their will.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in late October to begin repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar to escape an army crackdown, even though the United Nations' refugee agency and aid groups say doubts persist about their safety and conditions in Myanmar should they return.

The repatriation of the first batch of 2,000 refugees is set to officially begin on November&nbsp;15 and officials in Myanmar said on Sunday they were ready to begin receiving refugees this week.

"It depends on the other country, whether this will actually happen or not," Win Myat Aye, Myanmar's Minister for Social Welfare and Resettlement, told a news conference, referring to Bangladesh. "But we must be ready from our side. We have done that."

Last week, more than 20 individuals on the list of potential returnees submitted by Bangladesh told Reuters they would refuse to return to Myanmar's western Rakhine state, from where they fled, saying that they were terrified.

Bangladesh has said it would not force anyone to return and has asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to verify whether those shortlisted are willing to go back.

Firas Al-Khateeb, a UNHCR representative in Bangladesh, told Reuters on Sunday that this effort had not yet begun.

AVOIDING PRAYERS

"People are so afraid of being identified, they are avoiding Friday prayers at the mosque," said one refugee, who has fled with his family from Jamtoli to the large Kutupalong camp to evade repatriation.

The United Nations has said conditions are not yet safe for the refugees to go back, in part because Myanmar Buddhists have been protesting against the return of Rohingya.

The UNHCR said late on Sunday that refugees should be allowed to go and see the conditions in Myanmar before they decide whether to return.

Abul Kalam, Bangladesh Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, said he was hopeful the process could begin on Thursday.

"The return will be voluntary. Nobody will be forced to go back," he told Reuters.

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled the sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar last year. They say soldiers and local Buddhists massacred families, burned hundreds of villages, and carried out gang rapes. U.N-mandated investigators have accused the army of "genocidal intent" and ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar denies almost all of the allegations, saying security forces were battling terrorists. Attacks by Rohingya insurgents calling themselves the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army preceded the crackdown.

"INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT"

The UNHCR called for Myanmar to allow Rohingya refugees to visit their places of origin or resettlement sites to make their own "independent assessment of whether they feel they can return there in safety and dignity".

"Myanmar authorities should allow these refugees to undertake such go-and-see visits without prejudice to their right to return at a later date," the UNHCR said in a statement late on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Myanmar minister Win Myat Aye said preparations had been made for 2,251 people to be transported to two transit centres by boat on Thursday, while a second group of 2,095 could follow later by road.

Once processed, they would be sent to another centre where they would be housed, fed, and asked to build homes via cash-for-work schemes.

Returnees would only be allowed to travel within Maungdaw township, one of the three areas they fled, and only if they accepted National Verification Cards, an identity document most Rohingya reject because they say it brands them as foreigners.

Many Rohingya, who have been left stateless, oppose going back without guarantees of citizenship and freedom of movement.

Bangladesh/YANGON (Reuters) - Dozens of Rohingya Muslim families on a list of refugees set to be repatriated to Myanmar later this week have fled from camps in Bangladesh where they were living, a Rohingya leader said on Monday, even as Myanmar prepares to begin receiving them.

Bangladesh/YANGON (Reuters) - Dozens of Rohingya Muslim families on a list of refugees set to be repatriated to Myanmar later this week have fled from camps in Bangladesh where they were living, a Rohingya leader said on Monday, even as Myanmar prepares to begin receiving them. "Most of the people on the list have fled to avoid being repatriated," said Abdus Salam, a Rohingya leader at the Jamtoli camp, some 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, adding most have fled to other neighbouring camps to avoid being detected and forced to return against their will. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in late October to begin repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar to escape an army crackdown, even though the United Nations' refugee agency and aid groups say doubts persist about their safety and conditions in Myanmar should they return. The repatriation of the first batch of 2,000 refugees is set to officially begin on November 15 and officials in Myanmar said on Sunday they were ready to begin receiving refugees this week. "It depends on the other country, whether this will actually happen or not," Win Myat Aye, Myanmar's Minister for Social Welfare and Resettlement, told a news conference, referring to Bangladesh. "But we must be ready from our side. We have done that." Last week, more than 20 individuals on the list of potential returnees submitted by Bangladesh told Reuters they would refuse to return to Myanmar's western Rakhine state, from where they fled, saying that they were terrified. Bangladesh has said it would not force anyone to return and has asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to verify whether those shortlisted are willing to go back. Firas Al-Khateeb, a UNHCR representative in Bangladesh, told Reuters on Sunday that this effort had not yet begun. AVOIDING PRAYERS "People are so afraid of being identified, they are avoiding Friday prayers at the mosque," said one refugee, who has fled with his family from Jamtoli to the large Kutupalong camp to evade repatriation. The United Nations has said conditions are not yet safe for the refugees to go back, in part because Myanmar Buddhists have been protesting against the return of Rohingya. The UNHCR said late on Sunday that refugees should be allowed to go and see the conditions in Myanmar before they decide whether to return. Abul Kalam, Bangladesh Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, said he was hopeful the process could begin on Thursday. "The return will be voluntary. Nobody will be forced to go back," he told Reuters. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled the sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar last year. They say soldiers and local Buddhists massacred families, burned hundreds of villages, and carried out gang rapes. U.N-mandated investigators have accused the army of "genocidal intent" and ethnic cleansing. Myanmar denies almost all of the allegations, saying security forces were battling terrorists. Attacks by Rohingya insurgents calling themselves the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army preceded the crackdown. "INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT" The UNHCR called for Myanmar to allow Rohingya refugees to visit their places of origin or resettlement sites to make their own "independent assessment of whether they feel they can return there in safety and dignity". "Myanmar authorities should allow these refugees to undertake such go-and-see visits without prejudice to their right to return at a later date," the UNHCR said in a statement late on Sunday. Meanwhile, Myanmar minister Win Myat Aye said preparations had been made for 2,251 people to be transported to two transit centres by boat on Thursday, while a second group of 2,095 could follow later by road. Once processed, they would be sent to another centre where they would be housed, fed, and asked to build homes via cash-for-work schemes. Returnees would only be allowed to travel within Maungdaw township, one of the three areas they fled, and only if they accepted National Verification Cards, an identity document most Rohingya reject because they say it brands them as foreigners. Many Rohingya, who have been left stateless, oppose going back without guarantees of citizenship and freedom of movement.

Rohingya flee refugee camps in Bangladesh, as Myanmar prepares for first returnees

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday implored foreign investors to take a punt on her country -- Southeast Asia's "final frontier" -- but warned its resources are not open for exploitation at the cost of its people.

Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader, has toured Asia in recent months beating the drum for her country's economy, which the World Bank forecasts to grow at seven percent next year.

A tangle of investment laws, a weakening currency, high inflation, widespread corruption and conflict have chipped away at an economy that was hoped to take off following the start of civilian government in 2016 after decades of junta rule.

At the same time Suu Kyi's image as an upholder of human rights, and that of her country, has been decimated by the Rohingya crisis.

Speaking at a business forum in Singapore ahead of a regional summit, she did not address the crisis which has sent hundreds of thousands of the Muslim minority into Bangladesh and extinguished optimism in some corners over Myanmar's future.

Rumblings of the potential re-imposition of some western sanctions over the treatment of the Rohingya have also darkened the economic outlook for the country.&nbsp;

But Suu Kyi was at pains to say Myanmar was still open for business.

Myanmar is "Southeast Asia's final frontier market... we have land, we have (a) good young working population, we have unexplored resources," she said.

She warned investors not to expect an open season on the country's abundant natural resources which include precious stones, vast tracts of arable land and waterways.

"We have to invest for the sake of social cohesion," and not "purely for economic gain," she said, referencing Myanmar's resource-rich but conflict riddled borderlands.

Chinese mega-projects have come under fire inside Myanmar with accusations of land grabs, extractive practices and debt loading onto the government.

Protests against Chinese projects are common.

Last week Myanmar successfully scaled down a China-backed port project from US $10 billion to&nbsp;US $1.3 billion at the strategically important Kyaukphyu area of Rakhine state, where the Rohingya were driven from last year. &nbsp;

Suu Kyi said Myanmar needs the help of investors, in particular from Asia, to pull itself forwards after years of ulcerous junta rule and urged businesses to gamble on an "adventure" in the country.

Myanmar may face pressure over its handling of the Rohingya crisis later in the week as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit begins.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday implored foreign investors to take a punt on her country -- Southeast Asia's "final frontier" -- but warned its resources are not open for exploitation at the cost of its people.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday implored foreign investors to take a punt on her country -- Southeast Asia's "final frontier" -- but warned its resources are not open for exploitation at the cost of its people. Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader, has toured Asia in recent months beating the drum for her country's economy, which the World Bank forecasts to grow at seven percent next year. A tangle of investment laws, a weakening currency, high inflation, widespread corruption and conflict have chipped away at an economy that was hoped to take off following the start of civilian government in 2016 after decades of junta rule. At the same time Suu Kyi's image as an upholder of human rights, and that of her country, has been decimated by the Rohingya crisis. Speaking at a business forum in Singapore ahead of a regional summit, she did not address the crisis which has sent hundreds of thousands of the Muslim minority into Bangladesh and extinguished optimism in some corners over Myanmar's future. Rumblings of the potential re-imposition of some western sanctions over the treatment of the Rohingya have also darkened the economic outlook for the country. But Suu Kyi was at pains to say Myanmar was still open for business. Myanmar is "Southeast Asia's final frontier market... we have land, we have (a) good young working population, we have unexplored resources," she said. She warned investors not to expect an open season on the country's abundant natural resources which include precious stones, vast tracts of arable land and waterways. "We have to invest for the sake of social cohesion," and not "purely for economic gain," she said, referencing Myanmar's resource-rich but conflict riddled borderlands. Chinese mega-projects have come under fire inside Myanmar with accusations of land grabs, extractive practices and debt loading onto the government. Protests against Chinese projects are common. Last week Myanmar successfully scaled down a China-backed port project from US $10 billion to US $1.3 billion at the strategically important Kyaukphyu area of Rakhine state, where the Rohingya were driven from last year. Suu Kyi said Myanmar needs the help of investors, in particular from Asia, to pull itself forwards after years of ulcerous junta rule and urged businesses to gamble on an "adventure" in the country. Myanmar may face pressure over its handling of the Rohingya crisis later in the week as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit begins.

Suu Kyi beckons investors to Myanmar despite troubles

Myanmar's government on Sunday insisted any delays to the repatriation of Rohingya refugees would be the fault of Bangladesh, just four days ahead of the controversial planned start date.

After repeated setbacks, the neighbouring countries declared that the first of more than 2,200 Rohingya Muslims would be repatriated on November 15, even though international NGOs and the United Nations have said conditions are not yet in place for a safe return.&nbsp;

More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state in a military crackdown in August last year.&nbsp;

Survivors brought with them testimony of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson and are fearful of going back to Rakhine state without guarantees of safety, freedom of movement and citizenship.&nbsp;

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the deal last November but the UN has repeatedly said that any repatriations must be "safe, dignified and voluntary".&nbsp;

"We are ready," declared social welfare minister Win Myat Aye to reporters in Yangon on Sunday.

Provisions at a transit camp will include clothes and food rations and the refugees will also be provided with money to help them rebuild their homes in one of 42 locations, he added.&nbsp;

But he was unable to confirm who would be in the first group to return, insisting that it was down to Bangladesh to make sure they meet the deadline this week.&nbsp;

"It depends on the other country (Bangladesh) if the repatriations will start on 15 November," he said.&nbsp;

Both governments have been pushing ahead with this first large-scale repatriation effort, pledging to bring back a total of 2,251 Rohingya at the rate of 150 individuals a day.&nbsp;

This has prompted criticism from a group of 42 aid agencies -- including Oxfam, WorldVision and Save the Children -- who say that it would be dangerous for them.&nbsp;

UN investigators have called for the country's top military brass to be prosecuted for genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the crackdown.&nbsp;

Myanmar vehemently rejects the court's jurisdiction over the country and insists the military campaign was justified to defend itself against Rohingya terrorists.&nbsp;

The UN fact-finding team also said that civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government —- in a power-sharing agreement with the military —- were complicit in the atrocities against the Rohingya through their "acts and omissions".&nbsp;

She is due to speak to business leaders at a regional ASEAN forum in Singapore on Monday.&nbsp;

Myanmar's government on Sunday insisted any delays to the repatriation of Rohingya refugees would be the fault of Bangladesh, just four days ahead of the controversial planned start date.

Myanmar's government on Sunday insisted any delays to the repatriation of Rohingya refugees would be the fault of Bangladesh, just four days ahead of the controversial planned start date. After repeated setbacks, the neighbouring countries declared that the first of more than 2,200 Rohingya Muslims would be repatriated on November 15, even though international NGOs and the United Nations have said conditions are not yet in place for a safe return. More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state in a military crackdown in August last year. Survivors brought with them testimony of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson and are fearful of going back to Rakhine state without guarantees of safety, freedom of movement and citizenship. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the deal last November but the UN has repeatedly said that any repatriations must be "safe, dignified and voluntary". "We are ready," declared social welfare minister Win Myat Aye to reporters in Yangon on Sunday. Provisions at a transit camp will include clothes and food rations and the refugees will also be provided with money to help them rebuild their homes in one of 42 locations, he added. But he was unable to confirm who would be in the first group to return, insisting that it was down to Bangladesh to make sure they meet the deadline this week. "It depends on the other country (Bangladesh) if the repatriations will start on 15 November," he said. Both governments have been pushing ahead with this first large-scale repatriation effort, pledging to bring back a total of 2,251 Rohingya at the rate of 150 individuals a day. This has prompted criticism from a group of 42 aid agencies -- including Oxfam, WorldVision and Save the Children -- who say that it would be dangerous for them. UN investigators have called for the country's top military brass to be prosecuted for genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the crackdown. Myanmar vehemently rejects the court's jurisdiction over the country and insists the military campaign was justified to defend itself against Rohingya terrorists. The UN fact-finding team also said that civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government —- in a power-sharing agreement with the military —- were complicit in the atrocities against the Rohingya through their "acts and omissions". She is due to speak to business leaders at a regional ASEAN forum in Singapore on Monday.

Bangladesh to blame if Rohingyas return delayed: Myanmar government

Myanmar on Saturday denied allegations of a cross-border shooting that raised tensions with Bangladesh ahead of a scheduled start date for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

The fresh diplomatic row started after a Bangladesh border guard official said that a 15-year-old Rohingya refugee was shot in the elbow on November 4 while grazing cows after multiple rounds were fired from a security post across the demarcation line.

Bangladesh summoned Myanmar's ambassador to lodge a protest but Aung San Suu Kyi's government says it has looked into the allegation and denies it ever happened.

"The Myanmar ambassador promptly contacted the responsible officials from the Myanmar Border Guard, who confirmed that no shooting incident had taken place," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is overseen by Suu Kyi, said in a statement late Saturday.

Myanmar says it was involved in coordinated patrols at the time of the alleged incident with Bangladeshi forces along the Naf River that separates the two countries, and that none of their counterparts mentioned the claim.

"A formal protest through diplomatic channels based on dubious reports, as took place in this case, does not serve any useful purpose," the ministry added.

The contentious back and forth highlights the delicacy surrounding a planned start to the first official repatriation of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, which is supposed to start November 15 with over 2,000 people at a rate of 150 daily.

Some 720,000 Rohingya fled their homes in Myanmar to take refuge in Bangladesh following a sweeping and bloody crackdown on the Muslim minority in August 2017.

United Nations investigators say Myanmar's military should be investigated for genocide as a result of the campaign, which witnesses say included scorched earth tactics, rape and murder.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to repatriate Rohingya expelled in the recent military campaign, but they fear returning to a country without guarantees of citizenship, safety and basic rights.

Northern Rakhine has been undergoing massive redevelopment in their absence and Rohingya advocates say the process amounts to an effort to erase their history for good.

The UN, which has been granted access to parts of Myanmar's northern Rakhine state where most Rohingya used to live, says conditions are not right for the stateless minority to return.

A total of 42 aid agencies and NGOS said this week that Rohingya in the camps in Bangladesh were "terrified" about the prospect of coming back.&nbsp;

Myanmar on Saturday denied allegations of a cross-border shooting that raised tensions with Bangladesh ahead of a scheduled start date for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

Myanmar on Saturday denied allegations of a cross-border shooting that raised tensions with Bangladesh ahead of a scheduled start date for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. The fresh diplomatic row started after a Bangladesh border guard official said that a 15-year-old Rohingya refugee was shot in the elbow on November 4 while grazing cows after multiple rounds were fired from a security post across the demarcation line. Bangladesh summoned Myanmar's ambassador to lodge a protest but Aung San Suu Kyi's government says it has looked into the allegation and denies it ever happened. "The Myanmar ambassador promptly contacted the responsible officials from the Myanmar Border Guard, who confirmed that no shooting incident had taken place," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is overseen by Suu Kyi, said in a statement late Saturday. Myanmar says it was involved in coordinated patrols at the time of the alleged incident with Bangladeshi forces along the Naf River that separates the two countries, and that none of their counterparts mentioned the claim. "A formal protest through diplomatic channels based on dubious reports, as took place in this case, does not serve any useful purpose," the ministry added. The contentious back and forth highlights the delicacy surrounding a planned start to the first official repatriation of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, which is supposed to start November 15 with over 2,000 people at a rate of 150 daily. Some 720,000 Rohingya fled their homes in Myanmar to take refuge in Bangladesh following a sweeping and bloody crackdown on the Muslim minority in August 2017. United Nations investigators say Myanmar's military should be investigated for genocide as a result of the campaign, which witnesses say included scorched earth tactics, rape and murder. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to repatriate Rohingya expelled in the recent military campaign, but they fear returning to a country without guarantees of citizenship, safety and basic rights. Northern Rakhine has been undergoing massive redevelopment in their absence and Rohingya advocates say the process amounts to an effort to erase their history for good. The UN, which has been granted access to parts of Myanmar's northern Rakhine state where most Rohingya used to live, says conditions are not right for the stateless minority to return. A total of 42 aid agencies and NGOS said this week that Rohingya in the camps in Bangladesh were "terrified" about the prospect of coming back.

Myanmar denies border shooting as Rohingya repatriation date nears

A plan to start repatriating Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar is premature and the refugees are "terrified" about leaving&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;where they sought refuge, dozens of aid agencies working in the region said Friday.

More than 720,000<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dozens-of-rohingya-flee-camps-by-boat-reviving-memories-of-2015-tragedy-176310"> Rohingya Muslims fled</a> Myanmar's northern Rakhine state after a heavy-handed army crackdown in August last year that survivors say involved mass rape and extrajudicial killings.

UN officials say the country's military leaders should be investigated for genocide but Myanmar has rebuffed the calls, arguing it was only defending itself against Rohingya militants who attacked police posts.

Both&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;and Myanmar signed a repatriation agreement in November last year to allow Rohingya to return but many fear going back without guarantees of citizenship, freedom of movement and safety.

However, the governments confirmed in recent weeks that they were pushing ahead with the first large-scale repatriation set for mid-November, prompting an outcry from activists who say conditions on the ground in Rakhine are not adequate to take the refugees back.

"They are terrified about what will happen to them if they are returned to Myanmar now, and distressed by the lack of information they have received," the group of 42 aid agencies and civil society groups said in a statement that referred to the push as "dangerous." &nbsp;

"They fled to&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;to seek safety and they are very grateful to the Government of&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;for giving them a safe haven."&nbsp;

Oxfam, World Vision and Save the Children were among the groups working in Myanmar and&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;that signed the statement.

They said refugees fear living in enclosed settlements like the one in central Rakhine state, where more than 120,000 Rohingya have been confined to camps for six years since intercommunal violence erupted in the region in 2012.&nbsp;

Myint Khaing, the Maungdaw township administrator in northern Rakhine, told AFP that November 15 is the estimated repatriation start date and that the plan is to receive more than 2,200 people in total at a rate of 150 per day.

But he seemed unsure if it would go ahead.

"We can confirm only on the 15th whether the people from our given list are coming or not," he said.

Northern Rakhine has been largely sealed off since the crackdown except for tightly organised government trips for media and senior visiting diplomats.

The UN has been granted access to the area to assess conditions on the ground but the approvals have been slow and the amount of territory accessible has been limited.

Authorities in&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;worry that Rohingya may once again risk travelling to other parts of Southeast Asia by boat, a route previously popular with those seeking economic opportunities outside the grim camps.

This week&nbsp;Bangladesh's coast guard rescued 33 Rohingya and detained six alleged human traffickers from a fishing trawler headed for Malaysia in the Bay of Bengal.

A plan to start repatriating Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar is premature and the refugees are "terrified" about leaving Bangladesh where they sought refuge, dozens of aid agencies working in the region said Friday.

A plan to start repatriating Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar is premature and the refugees are "terrified" about leaving Bangladesh where they sought refuge, dozens of aid agencies working in the region said Friday. More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's northern Rakhine state after a heavy-handed army crackdown in August last year that survivors say involved mass rape and extrajudicial killings. UN officials say the country's military leaders should be investigated for genocide but Myanmar has rebuffed the calls, arguing it was only defending itself against Rohingya militants who attacked police posts. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation agreement in November last year to allow Rohingya to return but many fear going back without guarantees of citizenship, freedom of movement and safety. However, the governments confirmed in recent weeks that they were pushing ahead with the first large-scale repatriation set for mid-November, prompting an outcry from activists who say conditions on the ground in Rakhine are not adequate to take the refugees back. "They are terrified about what will happen to them if they are returned to Myanmar now, and distressed by the lack of information they have received," the group of 42 aid agencies and civil society groups said in a statement that referred to the push as "dangerous." "They fled to Bangladesh to seek safety and they are very grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for giving them a safe haven." Oxfam, World Vision and Save the Children were among the groups working in Myanmar and Bangladesh that signed the statement. They said refugees fear living in enclosed settlements like the one in central Rakhine state, where more than 120,000 Rohingya have been confined to camps for six years since intercommunal violence erupted in the region in 2012. Myint Khaing, the Maungdaw township administrator in northern Rakhine, told AFP that November 15 is the estimated repatriation start date and that the plan is to receive more than 2,200 people in total at a rate of 150 per day. But he seemed unsure if it would go ahead. "We can confirm only on the 15th whether the people from our given list are coming or not," he said. Northern Rakhine has been largely sealed off since the crackdown except for tightly organised government trips for media and senior visiting diplomats. The UN has been granted access to the area to assess conditions on the ground but the approvals have been slow and the amount of territory accessible has been limited. Authorities in Bangladesh worry that Rohingya may once again risk travelling to other parts of Southeast Asia by boat, a route previously popular with those seeking economic opportunities outside the grim camps. This week Bangladesh's coast guard rescued 33 Rohingya and detained six alleged human traffickers from a fishing trawler headed for Malaysia in the Bay of Bengal.

Aid groups say Rohingya 'terrified' about Myanmar repatriation

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday.

China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast.

It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean.

China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India.

The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.

Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent.

The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement.

A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port.

The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said.

The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to a disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding.

This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of a pro-China military junta.

Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty.

The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar.

Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday. China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast. It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean. China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India. The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said. Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent. The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement. A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port. The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said. The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to a disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding. This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of a pro-China military junta. Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty. The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar. Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

Eye on India's backyard? China to build third port in India's neighbourhood at Myanmar

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday.

China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast.

It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean.

China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India.

The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said.

Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent.

The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement.

A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port.

The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said.

The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding.

This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of pro-China military junta.

Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty.

The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar.

Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China has clinched a multi-billion-dollar deal to build a port at a strategic town along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar, its third project in India's neighbourhood after Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China and Myanmar signed an agreement on Thursday to build the deep sea port project in Kyaukpyu town after negotiations dragged for years due to financing and other issues, state-run Global Times reported on Friday. China is also developing deepwater strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan in the Arabian Sea which faces the Mumbai coast. It has also acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port on debt swap in the Indian Ocean. China has persistently denied the String of Pearls theory of building strategic network of ports to encircle India. The Chinese consortium led by State-owned conglomerate Citic Group signed the framework agreement with the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee on the development of the Kyaukpyu, deep-sea port, at a ceremony in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw, the report said. Under the framework agreement, China will fund 70 per cent of the investment for the project and Myanmar will pitch in the remaining 30 per cent. The initial phase of the project will include two berths with a total investment of USD 1.3 billion, according to the agreement. A joint venture will be set up to construct and operate the port. The signing of the framework agreement marks a significant step for the port project, which has been stalled since 2015, and for the continued implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which has come under increased scrutiny because of the cases such as the Kyaukpyu port project, the report said. The Chinese consortium first won the bid to construct the port in December 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 7 billion but further development was halted due to disagreement between the two sides over details of the project's funding. This is the biggest project China had secured after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi took charge of the government replacing the prolonged rule of pro-China military junta. Prolonged negotiations fuelled criticism of the BRI as it could add to Myanmar debts and even threaten other countries' sovereignty. The Kyaukpyu project is estimated to bring 100,000 jobs to the local community and will contribute as much as USD 15 billion in tax revenue to Myanmar. Once completed, the port will have an annual gross output of USD 3.2 billion, the report said.

China clinches multi-billion-dollar strategic port deal with Myanmar 

A flood of precursor chemicals into Myanmar is fuelling record meth production, officials said Wednesday, as the country's multi-billion-dollar drug trade spills out across Asia-Pacific.

The "Golden Triangle" -- a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos -- has for generations served as a base for opium and heroin production.&nbsp;

But it is Myanmar's meth production and trafficking that has skyrocketed to "alarming levels" in recent years, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The price of the methampethamine pills -- known regionally as "yaba", Thai for crazy medicine -- has collapsed due to massive oversupply, as has "ice", which is the much more potent and addictive crystallised version that is smoked.

Meth from Myanmar's border area in the Golden Triangle is moving further than ever from its source, reaching India to the west and Australia to the southeast.

Officials from China, South and Southeast Asia, met in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday to discuss the meth issue, which experts fear is causing a health and crime crisis.&nbsp;

But Myanmar should not shoulder all of the blame, said Aung Thu, the country's vice Home Affairs minister at the meeting.

"While we are a significant source of illicit drugs, we are not a source of the chemicals," he said, according to a statement issued by the UNODC, who organised the three-day meeting beginning on Wednesday.

"We reminded the region that precursors are required for synthetic drug production to continue to go up."

The chemicals can also be used for more innocuous purposes -- ephedrine and pseudoephdrine, for example, are used in cold remedies making it hard for officials to control imports.

Experts say precursors are usually made in northeastern India and China, while regional neighbours like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have growing chemical and pharmaceutical industries that could add to it. &nbsp;

"The synthetic drug situation is changing quickly and yet the speed information is being developed and exchanged is not keeping pace," said UNDOC's Inshik Sim, recommending governments flag suspicious new substances through an early warning system.

The volume of meth being seized by authorities across the regions indicates "a steady and rising supply" of chemicals into Myanmar, said UNODC regional representative, Jeremy Douglas told AFP.&nbsp;

Yet "governments are reporting little if any seizure of chemicals and pharmaceuticals" used to make it, which shows relative freedom at the borders when transporting it.

"The business will not be disrupted," Douglas warned, until there is a unified capacity to border detection of drugs and precursors across a region containing some of Asia's poorest countries.

An emerging concern for the UNDOC is the increasing production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that caused an epidemic in America.&nbsp;

It is now being "produced, diverted and trafficked" from the region to North America and Australia, said the UNODC. &nbsp;

A flood of precursor chemicals into Myanmar is fuelling record meth production, officials said Wednesday, as the country's multi-billion-dollar drug trade spills out across Asia-Pacific.

A flood of precursor chemicals into Myanmar is fuelling record meth production, officials said Wednesday, as the country's multi-billion-dollar drug trade spills out across Asia-Pacific. The "Golden Triangle" -- a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos -- has for generations served as a base for opium and heroin production. But it is Myanmar's meth production and trafficking that has skyrocketed to "alarming levels" in recent years, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The price of the methampethamine pills -- known regionally as "yaba", Thai for crazy medicine -- has collapsed due to massive oversupply, as has "ice", which is the much more potent and addictive crystallised version that is smoked. Meth from Myanmar's border area in the Golden Triangle is moving further than ever from its source, reaching India to the west and Australia to the southeast. Officials from China, South and Southeast Asia, met in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday to discuss the meth issue, which experts fear is causing a health and crime crisis. But Myanmar should not shoulder all of the blame, said Aung Thu, the country's vice Home Affairs minister at the meeting. "While we are a significant source of illicit drugs, we are not a source of the chemicals," he said, according to a statement issued by the UNODC, who organised the three-day meeting beginning on Wednesday. "We reminded the region that precursors are required for synthetic drug production to continue to go up." The chemicals can also be used for more innocuous purposes -- ephedrine and pseudoephdrine, for example, are used in cold remedies making it hard for officials to control imports. Experts say precursors are usually made in northeastern India and China, while regional neighbours like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have growing chemical and pharmaceutical industries that could add to it. "The synthetic drug situation is changing quickly and yet the speed information is being developed and exchanged is not keeping pace," said UNDOC's Inshik Sim, recommending governments flag suspicious new substances through an early warning system. The volume of meth being seized by authorities across the regions indicates "a steady and rising supply" of chemicals into Myanmar, said UNODC regional representative, Jeremy Douglas told AFP. Yet "governments are reporting little if any seizure of chemicals and pharmaceuticals" used to make it, which shows relative freedom at the borders when transporting it. "The business will not be disrupted," Douglas warned, until there is a unified capacity to border detection of drugs and precursors across a region containing some of Asia's poorest countries. An emerging concern for the UNDOC is the increasing production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that caused an epidemic in America. It is now being "produced, diverted and trafficked" from the region to North America and Australia, said the UNODC.

Meth precursors fuelling Myanmar's unstoppable drug trade

Myanmar's ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats in national, regional and state parliaments, according to complete preliminary results.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy took seven of the 13 seats made vacant by death or resignation. Initial results for 12 races showed it had won six seats, and the delayed result for the 13th race, for a lower house constitutency in western Chin State, gave it its seventh victory.

The results for Saturday's polls showed the NLD generally retaining support in the country's heartland, but yielding seats to parties representing ethnic minorities in the areas where they live, mostly in border regions.

The NLD won a landslide victory in the 2015 general election, when there was wide-ranging popular support to end decades of military rule. But minority groups have been disappointed that the government of NLD leader Suu Kyi has failed to meet their demands for greater autonomy and a halt to aggressive army activities in their territories.

While the results of the small number of races have a negligible effect on the political balance of power, the contests were being watched for trends ahead of the next general election in 2020.

The return of voters to ethnic minority parties representing their interests had already been seen in another set of by-elections last year.&nbsp;

What this year's polls seemed to underline was the danger to the NLD of a weak voter turnout, which was probably behind the upset defeat of an NLD candidate for a Yangon regional parliament seat.

That contest was won by a representative of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the country's main political grouping after the NLD. The military-backed USDP won three seats in Saturday's polls.

Suu Kyi's appeal with the country's Buddhist majority has not suffered much from a crisis involving 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority who fled a brutal army counterinsurgency campaign in the country's west. However, economic development has been lagging and is a source of disappointment among her supporters.

Myanmar's ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats in national, regional and state parliaments, according to complete preliminary results.

Myanmar's ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats in national, regional and state parliaments, according to complete preliminary results. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy took seven of the 13 seats made vacant by death or resignation. Initial results for 12 races showed it had won six seats, and the delayed result for the 13th race, for a lower house constitutency in western Chin State, gave it its seventh victory. The results for Saturday's polls showed the NLD generally retaining support in the country's heartland, but yielding seats to parties representing ethnic minorities in the areas where they live, mostly in border regions. The NLD won a landslide victory in the 2015 general election, when there was wide-ranging popular support to end decades of military rule. But minority groups have been disappointed that the government of NLD leader Suu Kyi has failed to meet their demands for greater autonomy and a halt to aggressive army activities in their territories. While the results of the small number of races have a negligible effect on the political balance of power, the contests were being watched for trends ahead of the next general election in 2020. The return of voters to ethnic minority parties representing their interests had already been seen in another set of by-elections last year. What this year's polls seemed to underline was the danger to the NLD of a weak voter turnout, which was probably behind the upset defeat of an NLD candidate for a Yangon regional parliament seat. That contest was won by a representative of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the country's main political grouping after the NLD. The military-backed USDP won three seats in Saturday's polls. Suu Kyi's appeal with the country's Buddhist majority has not suffered much from a crisis involving 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority who fled a brutal army counterinsurgency campaign in the country's west. However, economic development has been lagging and is a source of disappointment among her supporters.

Myanmar's ruling party wins 7 of 13 by-election seats

Facebook Inc on Monday said a human rights report it commissioned on its presence in Myanmar showed it had not done enough to prevent its social network from being used to incite violence.

The report by San Francisco-based nonprofit Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) recommended that Facebook more strictly enforce its content policies, increase engagement with both Myanmar officials and civil society groups and regularly release additional data about its progress in the country.

"The report concludes that, prior to this year, we weren't doing enough to help prevent our platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence. We agree that we can and should do more," Alex Warofka, a Facebook product policy manager, said in a blog post.

BSR also warned that Facebook must be prepared to handle a likely onslaught of misinformation during Myanmar's 2020 elections, and new problems as use of its WhatsApp grows in Myanmar, according to the report, which Facebook released.

A Reuters special report https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/myanmar-facebook-hate in August found that Facebook failed to promptly heed numerous warnings from organizations in Myanmar about social media posts fueling attacks on minority groups such as the Rohingya.

In August 2017 the military led a crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents, pushing more than 700,000 Muslims to neighboring Bangladesh, according to U.N. agencies.

The social media website in August removed several Myanmar military officials from the platform to prevent the spread of "hate and misinformation," for the first time banning a country's military or political leaders.

It also removed dozens of accounts for engaging in a campaign that "used seemingly independent news and opinion pages to covertly push the messages of the Myanmar military."

The move came hours after United Nations investigators said the army carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Muslim Rohingya with “genocidal intent.”

Facebook said it has begun correcting shortcomings.

Facebook said that it now has 99 Myanmar language specialists reviewing potentially questionable content. In addition, it has expanded use of automated tools to reduce distribution of violent and dehumanizing posts while they undergo review.

In the third quarter, the company said it "took action" on about 64,000 pieces of content that violated its hate speech policies. About 63 percent were identified by automated software, up from 52 percent in the prior quarter.

Facebook has roughly 20 million users in Myanmar, according to BSR, which warned Facebook faces several unresolved challenges in Myanmar.

BSR said locating staff there, for example, could aid in Facebook's understanding of how its services are used locally but said its workers could be targeted by the country's military, which has been accused by the U.N. of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

Facebook Inc on Monday said a human rights report it commissioned on its presence in Myanmar showed it had not done enough to prevent its social network from being used to incite violence.

Facebook Inc on Monday said a human rights report it commissioned on its presence in Myanmar showed it had not done enough to prevent its social network from being used to incite violence. The report by San Francisco-based nonprofit Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) recommended that Facebook more strictly enforce its content policies, increase engagement with both Myanmar officials and civil society groups and regularly release additional data about its progress in the country. "The report concludes that, prior to this year, we weren't doing enough to help prevent our platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence. We agree that we can and should do more," Alex Warofka, a Facebook product policy manager, said in a blog post. BSR also warned that Facebook must be prepared to handle a likely onslaught of misinformation during Myanmar's 2020 elections, and new problems as use of its WhatsApp grows in Myanmar, according to the report, which Facebook released. A Reuters special report https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/myanmar-facebook-hate in August found that Facebook failed to promptly heed numerous warnings from organizations in Myanmar about social media posts fueling attacks on minority groups such as the Rohingya. In August 2017 the military led a crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents, pushing more than 700,000 Muslims to neighboring Bangladesh, according to U.N. agencies. The social media website in August removed several Myanmar military officials from the platform to prevent the spread of "hate and misinformation," for the first time banning a country's military or political leaders. It also removed dozens of accounts for engaging in a campaign that "used seemingly independent news and opinion pages to covertly push the messages of the Myanmar military." The move came hours after United Nations investigators said the army carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Muslim Rohingya with “genocidal intent.” Facebook said it has begun correcting shortcomings. Facebook said that it now has 99 Myanmar language specialists reviewing potentially questionable content. In addition, it has expanded use of automated tools to reduce distribution of violent and dehumanizing posts while they undergo review. In the third quarter, the company said it "took action" on about 64,000 pieces of content that violated its hate speech policies. About 63 percent were identified by automated software, up from 52 percent in the prior quarter. Facebook has roughly 20 million users in Myanmar, according to BSR, which warned Facebook faces several unresolved challenges in Myanmar. BSR said locating staff there, for example, could aid in Facebook's understanding of how its services are used locally but said its workers could be targeted by the country's military, which has been accused by the U.N. of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

Facebook says human rights report shows it should do more in Myanmar

Lawyers for two Reuters reporters <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-official-secrets-case-judge-sentences-two-reuters-journalists-to-7-years-in-jail-163207">jailed for seven years</a> in Myanmar lodged an appeal on Monday against their conviction on charges of breaking the country's Official Secrets Act.

The appeal cited evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime.

"We filed an appeal ... because the trial court's ruling was wrong," said Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief, Stephen J. Adler in a statement. "In condemning them as spies, it ignored compelling evidence of a police set-up, serious due process violations, and the prosecution's failure to prove any of the key elements of the crime."

He added the court shifted the burden of proof from the prosecution to the Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and called on Myanmar to "uphold its stated dedication to rule of law, freedom of the press, and democracy by ordering the release of our colleagues."

Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/timeline-reuters-journalists-detained-in-myanmar-161794">found guilty in September</a> after a trial at a Yangon district court in a landmark case that has raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said in September that the jailing of the reporters had nothing to do with freedom of expression. In comments made the week after their conviction, she said they had been sentenced for handling official secrets and "were not jailed because they were journalists".

Government spokesman Zaw Htay declined comment on the appeal.

Defence lawyers filed the appeal on Monday morning at the Yangon-based High Court. If the court rules to allow the appeal, an appellate judge would take written and oral arguments from prosecution and defence lawyers before handing down a decision.

Before their arrest, the reporters had been working on a Reuters investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and local Buddhists in western Myanmar's Rakhine state during an army crackdown that began in August last year. The operation sent more than 700,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.

During eight months of hearings, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo testified that two policemen they had not met before handed them papers rolled up in a newspaper during a meeting at a Yangon restaurant on Dec. 12. Almost immediately afterwards, they said, they were bundled into a car by plainclothes officers.

On February&nbsp;1, a police witness said under cross-examination that information in the documents had already been published in newspapers. In April, a prosecution witness testified that a senior officer had ordered subordinates to plant documents on Wa Lone to "trap" the reporter.

Lawyers for two Reuters reporters jailed for seven years in Myanmar lodged an appeal on Monday against their conviction on charges of breaking the country's Official Secrets Act.

Lawyers for two Reuters reporters jailed for seven years in Myanmar lodged an appeal on Monday against their conviction on charges of breaking the country's Official Secrets Act. The appeal cited evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime. "We filed an appeal ... because the trial court's ruling was wrong," said Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief, Stephen J. Adler in a statement. "In condemning them as spies, it ignored compelling evidence of a police set-up, serious due process violations, and the prosecution's failure to prove any of the key elements of the crime." He added the court shifted the burden of proof from the prosecution to the Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and called on Myanmar to "uphold its stated dedication to rule of law, freedom of the press, and democracy by ordering the release of our colleagues." Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were found guilty in September after a trial at a Yangon district court in a landmark case that has raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said in September that the jailing of the reporters had nothing to do with freedom of expression. In comments made the week after their conviction, she said they had been sentenced for handling official secrets and "were not jailed because they were journalists". Government spokesman Zaw Htay declined comment on the appeal. Defence lawyers filed the appeal on Monday morning at the Yangon-based High Court. If the court rules to allow the appeal, an appellate judge would take written and oral arguments from prosecution and defence lawyers before handing down a decision. Before their arrest, the reporters had been working on a Reuters investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and local Buddhists in western Myanmar's Rakhine state during an army crackdown that began in August last year. The operation sent more than 700,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh. During eight months of hearings, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo testified that two policemen they had not met before handed them papers rolled up in a newspaper during a meeting at a Yangon restaurant on Dec. 12. Almost immediately afterwards, they said, they were bundled into a car by plainclothes officers. On February 1, a police witness said under cross-examination that information in the documents had already been published in newspapers. In April, a prosecution witness testified that a senior officer had ordered subordinates to plant documents on Wa Lone to "trap" the reporter.

Reuters reporters in Myanmar appeal against conviction in state secrets case

Myanmar voters cast their ballots in a small but key by-election Saturday, a rare local test of support for embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party more than halfway through her time in office.

Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in 2015 in a landslide victory ending decades of military rule.

But her tenure has been marred by a failure to speak up for Rohingya Muslims driven out of the country by the army and stumbling peace talks with insurgent groups in lawless border areas.

A mere 13 positions are in play in the country's second by-election since the national poll three years ago, but they are spread out across the country and include parliamentary and regional assembly seats.

Some two-dozen parties are in the mix and 69 candidates are taking part.

At one polling station in Yangon's Tamwe township residents showed support for Suu Kyi while acknowledging some of the criticism.

"I voted NLD this morning," Maung Maung, 34, a software engineer who lives in Tamwe, told AFP.

"I was a strong supporter of the NLD for years but during the years when NLD took power, there were some failures that they are working on," he added, without going into detail.

Aye Soe, a 52-year-old street vendor, expressed full-throated backing.

"I will support her until I die," she said.

Initial results are expected to be announced on Sunday.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's reputation at home is more secure than it is abroad, where her image as a rights icon has been shattered by the Rohingya crisis.

More than 720,000 from the stateless Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh since a military crackdown in August 2017.

Huddled in crowded camps, they have recounted stories of murder, rape and villages burned to the ground.

Myanmar has denied almost all of the allegations, saying soldiers were defending themselves against Rohingya militants.

UN investigators have called for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court and for senior members of the Tatmadaw, as the armed forces are known, to be investigated on genocide charges.

Myanmar voters cast their ballots in a small but key by-election Saturday, a rare local test of support for embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party more than halfway through her time in office.

Myanmar voters cast their ballots in a small but key by-election Saturday, a rare local test of support for embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party more than halfway through her time in office. Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in 2015 in a landslide victory ending decades of military rule. But her tenure has been marred by a failure to speak up for Rohingya Muslims driven out of the country by the army and stumbling peace talks with insurgent groups in lawless border areas. A mere 13 positions are in play in the country's second by-election since the national poll three years ago, but they are spread out across the country and include parliamentary and regional assembly seats. Some two-dozen parties are in the mix and 69 candidates are taking part. At one polling station in Yangon's Tamwe township residents showed support for Suu Kyi while acknowledging some of the criticism. "I voted NLD this morning," Maung Maung, 34, a software engineer who lives in Tamwe, told AFP. "I was a strong supporter of the NLD for years but during the years when NLD took power, there were some failures that they are working on," he added, without going into detail. Aye Soe, a 52-year-old street vendor, expressed full-throated backing. "I will support her until I die," she said. Initial results are expected to be announced on Sunday. Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's reputation at home is more secure than it is abroad, where her image as a rights icon has been shattered by the Rohingya crisis. More than 720,000 from the stateless Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh since a military crackdown in August 2017. Huddled in crowded camps, they have recounted stories of murder, rape and villages burned to the ground. Myanmar has denied almost all of the allegations, saying soldiers were defending themselves against Rohingya militants. UN investigators have called for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court and for senior members of the Tatmadaw, as the armed forces are known, to be investigated on genocide charges.

Myanmar by-election rare local test for Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar voters cast their ballots in a small but key by-election Saturday, a rare local test of support for embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party more than halfway through her time in office.

Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in 2015 in a landslide victory ending decades of military rule.

But her tenure has been marred by a failure to speak up for Rohingya Muslims driven out of the country by the army and stumbling peace talks with insurgent groups in lawless border areas.

A mere 13 positions are in play in the country's second by-election since the national poll three years ago, but they are spread out across the country and include parliamentary and regional assembly seats.

Some two-dozen parties are in the mix and 69 candidates are taking part.

At one polling station in Yangon's Tamwe township residents showed support for Suu Kyi while acknowleding some of the criticism.

"I voted NLD this morning," Maung Maung, 34, a software engineer who lives in Tamwe, told AFP.

"I was a strong supporter of the NLD for years but during the years when NLD took power, there were some failures that they are working on," he added, without going into detail.

Aye Soe, a 52-year-old street vendor, expressed full-throated backing.

"I will support her until I die," she said.

Initial results are expected to be announced on Sunday.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's reputation at home is more secure than it is abroad, where her image as a rights icon has been shattered by the Rohingya crisis.

More than 720,000 from the stateless Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh since a military crackdown in August 2017.

Huddled in crowded camps, they have recounted stories of murder, rape and villages burned to the ground.

Myanmar has denied almost all of the allegations, saying soldiers were defending themselves against Rohingya militants.

UN investigators have called for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court and for senior members of the Tatmadaw, as the armed forces are known, to be investigated on genocide charges.

Myanmar voters cast their ballots in a small but key by-election Saturday, a rare local test of support for embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party more than halfway through her time in office. Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in 2015 in a landslide victory ending decades of military rule. But her tenure has been marred by a failure to speak up for Rohingya Muslims driven out of the country by the army and stumbling peace talks with insurgent groups in lawless border areas. A mere 13 positions are in play in the country's second by-election since the national poll three years ago, but they are spread out across the country and include parliamentary and regional assembly seats. Some two-dozen parties are in the mix and 69 candidates are taking part. At one polling station in Yangon's Tamwe township residents showed support for Suu Kyi while acknowleding some of the criticism. "I voted NLD this morning," Maung Maung, 34, a software engineer who lives in Tamwe, told AFP. "I was a strong supporter of the NLD for years but during the years when NLD took power, there were some failures that they are working on," he added, without going into detail. Aye Soe, a 52-year-old street vendor, expressed full-throated backing. "I will support her until I die," she said. Initial results are expected to be announced on Sunday. Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's reputation at home is more secure than it is abroad, where her image as a rights icon has been shattered by the Rohingya crisis. More than 720,000 from the stateless Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh since a military crackdown in August 2017. Huddled in crowded camps, they have recounted stories of murder, rape and villages burned to the ground. Myanmar has denied almost all of the allegations, saying soldiers were defending themselves against Rohingya militants. UN investigators have called for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court and for senior members of the Tatmadaw, as the armed forces are known, to be investigated on genocide charges.

Myanmar officials visited camps for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh on Wednesday (October 31) in an effort to kickstart a process to repatriate hundreds of thousands who fled an army crackdown last year.

More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from western Myanmar, UN agencies say, after Rohingya insurgent attacks on Myanmar security forces in August 2017 triggered a sweeping military response.

Officials said after meetings in Dhaka on Tuesday (October 30) returns would begin next month, but the UN refugee agency said<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/conditions-for-rohingya-to-return-to-myanmar-are-not-conducive-united-nations-174791"> conditions in Rakhine state were "not yet conducive for returns"</a>.

Myint Thu, permanent secretary at Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Myanmar delegation, said Myanmar had verified about 5,000 names of refugees and that repatriation would begin with a first batch of 2,000 returnees in mid-November.

"We are here to meet with the people from the camps so that I can explain what we have prepared for their return and then I can listen to their voices," he told reporters in Cox's Bazaar.

Rohingya people said after Wednesday's meeting that they were unconvinced about the proposed repatriation as they want Myanmar to recognise them as an ethnic group with the right to Myanmar citizenship before they return.

Myanmar does not consider the Rohingya a native ethnic group. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh.

Myanmar officials visited camps for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh on Wednesday (October 31) in an effort to kickstart a process to repatriate hundreds of thousands who fled an army crackdown last year.

Myanmar officials visited camps for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh on Wednesday (October 31) in an effort to kickstart a process to repatriate hundreds of thousands who fled an army crackdown last year. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from western Myanmar, UN agencies say, after Rohingya insurgent attacks on Myanmar security forces in August 2017 triggered a sweeping military response. Officials said after meetings in Dhaka on Tuesday (October 30) returns would begin next month, but the UN refugee agency said conditions in Rakhine state were "not yet conducive for returns". Myint Thu, permanent secretary at Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Myanmar delegation, said Myanmar had verified about 5,000 names of refugees and that repatriation would begin with a first batch of 2,000 returnees in mid-November. "We are here to meet with the people from the camps so that I can explain what we have prepared for their return and then I can listen to their voices," he told reporters in Cox's Bazaar. Rohingya people said after Wednesday's meeting that they were unconvinced about the proposed repatriation as they want Myanmar to recognise them as an ethnic group with the right to Myanmar citizenship before they return. Myanmar does not consider the Rohingya a native ethnic group. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh.

Myanmar officials try to convince Rohingya to return, accept ID cards

The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday (October 31) that conditions in Rakhine state were "not conducive for a safe, dignified and voluntary return" for Rohingya refugees, stressing that such repatriations must be voluntary.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed on Tuesday (October 30) to begin by November the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled to Bangladesh to escape a Myanmar army crackdown.

Necessary safeguards are absent in the region, where access is limited amid continuing restrictions for media and other independent observers, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman, Andrej Mahecic said.

"We basically have advised that the returns should not be rushed or premature. We would advise against setting any timetable or any target number for the repatriation. It is very important to understand that the repatriation needs to be a free and voluntary choice of refugees", he said.

He added that UNHCR has completed the second phase of assessment in northern Rakhine state, but its access remains "limited".

Rohingya and other Muslims in the three townships suffer hardship and economic vulnerability due to restrictions on their movement and the prevailing sentiment is "fear and mistrust", he said.

Rohingya are still crossing the border into Bangladesh, with nearly 14,000 arriving this year, according to UNHCR.

The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday (October 31) that conditions in Rakhine state were "not conducive for a safe, dignified and voluntary return" for Rohingya refugees, stressing that such repatriations must be voluntary.

The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday (October 31) that conditions in Rakhine state were "not conducive for a safe, dignified and voluntary return" for Rohingya refugees, stressing that such repatriations must be voluntary. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed on Tuesday (October 30) to begin by November the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled to Bangladesh to escape a Myanmar army crackdown. Necessary safeguards are absent in the region, where access is limited amid continuing restrictions for media and other independent observers, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman, Andrej Mahecic said. "We basically have advised that the returns should not be rushed or premature. We would advise against setting any timetable or any target number for the repatriation. It is very important to understand that the repatriation needs to be a free and voluntary choice of refugees", he said. He added that UNHCR has completed the second phase of assessment in northern Rakhine state, but its access remains "limited". Rohingya and other Muslims in the three townships suffer hardship and economic vulnerability due to restrictions on their movement and the prevailing sentiment is "fear and mistrust", he said. Rohingya are still crossing the border into Bangladesh, with nearly 14,000 arriving this year, according to UNHCR.

Conditions for Rohingya to return to Myanmar are not conducive: United Nations

A top Myanmar official said Wednesday that his country would take back the first group of 2,000 Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh in November despite widespread doubts over the proposal.

Officials from the two countries announced on Tuesday that some of the 720,000 Muslim Rohingya who fled a deadly military clampdown in the Buddhist-majority country last year would<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-myanmar-to-start-returning-rohingya-in-november-174422"> start returning next month</a>.

Myanmar foreign secretary Myint Thu visited the camps in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday to discuss the repatriations with refugees.

Most repeated demands that they be given Myanmar nationality with full rights before they return.

Thu said Myanmar has verified 5,000 names on a list of 8,032 Rohingya that Bangladesh authorities sent in February.

"From that 5,000, the first batch will be about 2,000 people. And then a second batch will follow. So in mid-November, we will receive the first batch," Thu told reporters.

Bangladesh officials said a new list of 24,342 Rohingya names was handed over in talks this week.&nbsp;

But Rohingya representatives expressed strong doubts about going back despite the announcement.

"We would rather die in the camp in Bangladesh. We will not return without any guarantee of citizenship or fully restored rights," Abdul Hakim, one refugee from Myanmar's Rakhine state, told AFP.

The United Nations, aid groups and even Bangladesh authorities have said any repatriation must be voluntary.&nbsp;

Oxfam spokesperson Rachael Reilly said the refugees "want to see justice served and an end to the violence and discrimination that have caused this crisis".

"It is deeply concerning that Rohingya people may be sent back to Myanmar to face the same persecution they fled," she said.

The 720,000 joined about 300,000 who fled earlier violence in Myanmar, where the Rohingya are refused citizenship and rights. Many brought harrowing tales of rape, murder and burning of villages.

Investigators have said senior Myanmar military officials should be prosecuted for genocide, but Myanmar has rejected the calls, insisting it only targeted militants.

The two neighbours first announced a large-scale repatriation plan in November 2017. But it has failed to advance, with each government blaming the other.&nbsp;

A top Myanmar official said Wednesday that his country would take back the first group of 2,000 Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh in November despite widespread doubts over the proposal.

A top Myanmar official said Wednesday that his country would take back the first group of 2,000 Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh in November despite widespread doubts over the proposal. Officials from the two countries announced on Tuesday that some of the 720,000 Muslim Rohingya who fled a deadly military clampdown in the Buddhist-majority country last year would start returning next month. Myanmar foreign secretary Myint Thu visited the camps in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday to discuss the repatriations with refugees. Most repeated demands that they be given Myanmar nationality with full rights before they return. Thu said Myanmar has verified 5,000 names on a list of 8,032 Rohingya that Bangladesh authorities sent in February. "From that 5,000, the first batch will be about 2,000 people. And then a second batch will follow. So in mid-November, we will receive the first batch," Thu told reporters. Bangladesh officials said a new list of 24,342 Rohingya names was handed over in talks this week. But Rohingya representatives expressed strong doubts about going back despite the announcement. "We would rather die in the camp in Bangladesh. We will not return without any guarantee of citizenship or fully restored rights," Abdul Hakim, one refugee from Myanmar's Rakhine state, told AFP. The United Nations, aid groups and even Bangladesh authorities have said any repatriation must be voluntary. Oxfam spokesperson Rachael Reilly said the refugees "want to see justice served and an end to the violence and discrimination that have caused this crisis". "It is deeply concerning that Rohingya people may be sent back to Myanmar to face the same persecution they fled," she said. The 720,000 joined about 300,000 who fled earlier violence in Myanmar, where the Rohingya are refused citizenship and rights. Many brought harrowing tales of rape, murder and burning of villages. Investigators have said senior Myanmar military officials should be prosecuted for genocide, but Myanmar has rejected the calls, insisting it only targeted militants. The two neighbours first announced a large-scale repatriation plan in November 2017. But it has failed to advance, with each government blaming the other.

Myanmar says 2,000 Rohingya to arrive in November despite doubts

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed Tuesday to start returning Rohingya refugees in November, less than a week after UN investigators warned that a genocide against the Muslim minority was still ongoing.

More than 720,000 of Myanmar's stateless Rohingya fled a brutal military crackdown in August last year, taking shelter in crowded camps in Bangladesh and bringing with them harrowing tales of rape, murder and arson in a military crackdown.

Investigators have said senior Myanmar military officials should be prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine state, but the country has rejected these calls, insisting it was defending itself against militants.

Myanmar and Bangladesh announced a large-scale repatriation plan in November 2017. But the process hit bureaucratic hurdles almost immediately and it failed to take off, as both sides blamed the other for the delay and rights group warned returning the Rohingya to Myanmar would condemn them to further reprisals.

Authorities in Buddhist-majority Myanmar say more than 100 displaced Rohingya have returned in recent months, but Bangladesh insists that the official process has not commenced.

"We are looking forward to starting the repatriation by mid November," Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque said after talks in Dhaka between officials from both countries.

"It is the first phase."

Myanmar's permanent secretary of foreign affairs Myint Thu, who attended the talks, said both sides agreed to a "very concrete" plan to start the process next month.

"We have shown our political will, flexibility and accommodation in order to commence the repatriation at the earliest possible date," he told reporters.

Myanmar's government has trumpeted every occasion where a Rohingya family has returned, though rights groups have questioned whether the refugees did so voluntarily.

Many fear returning to Myanmar without guaranteed rights such as citizenship, access to healthcare and freedom of movement -- rights that were denied to them long before last year's crackdown.

The pledge to begin returning the Rohingya comes just days after UN investigators warned of an "ongoing genocide" against the Muslim minority in Myanmar.

Marzuki Darusman, chairman of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, said that beyond mass killings, the conflict included the ostracization of the population, prevention of births, and widespread displacement in camps.

The UN says the return of the Rohingya must be voluntary, and conducted in dignity and security.

It conducted conducted a survey of conditions in northern Rakhine state last month and reported "mistrust, fear of neighbouring communities and a sense of insecurity" prevalent in many areas.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed Tuesday to start returning Rohingya refugees in November, less than a week after UN investigators warned that a genocide against the Muslim minority was still ongoing.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed Tuesday to start returning Rohingya refugees in November, less than a week after UN investigators warned that a genocide against the Muslim minority was still ongoing. More than 720,000 of Myanmar's stateless Rohingya fled a brutal military crackdown in August last year, taking shelter in crowded camps in Bangladesh and bringing with them harrowing tales of rape, murder and arson in a military crackdown. Investigators have said senior Myanmar military officials should be prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine state, but the country has rejected these calls, insisting it was defending itself against militants. Myanmar and Bangladesh announced a large-scale repatriation plan in November 2017. But the process hit bureaucratic hurdles almost immediately and it failed to take off, as both sides blamed the other for the delay and rights group warned returning the Rohingya to Myanmar would condemn them to further reprisals. Authorities in Buddhist-majority Myanmar say more than 100 displaced Rohingya have returned in recent months, but Bangladesh insists that the official process has not commenced. "We are looking forward to starting the repatriation by mid November," Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque said after talks in Dhaka between officials from both countries. "It is the first phase." Myanmar's permanent secretary of foreign affairs Myint Thu, who attended the talks, said both sides agreed to a "very concrete" plan to start the process next month. "We have shown our political will, flexibility and accommodation in order to commence the repatriation at the earliest possible date," he told reporters. Myanmar's government has trumpeted every occasion where a Rohingya family has returned, though rights groups have questioned whether the refugees did so voluntarily. Many fear returning to Myanmar without guaranteed rights such as citizenship, access to healthcare and freedom of movement -- rights that were denied to them long before last year's crackdown. The pledge to begin returning the Rohingya comes just days after UN investigators warned of an "ongoing genocide" against the Muslim minority in Myanmar. Marzuki Darusman, chairman of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, said that beyond mass killings, the conflict included the ostracization of the population, prevention of births, and widespread displacement in camps. The UN says the return of the Rohingya must be voluntary, and conducted in dignity and security. It conducted conducted a survey of conditions in northern Rakhine state last month and reported "mistrust, fear of neighbouring communities and a sense of insecurity" prevalent in many areas.

Bangladesh, Myanmar to start returning Rohingya in November

In a harrowing ordeal, nine members of a cargo ship crew, including five Indians, have been stranded on their vessel outside Pakistan's Karachi port for over a year as they have yet to be paid their dues totalling around $ 300,000.

Apart from the Indians, the crew includes four Pakistani nationals, two people from Myanmar and one each from Sudan and Kenya.

"We have been lucky because we can embark the ship and come and go as we please as we are Pakistani nationals," Muhammad Reza, a member of the crew, told PTI here.

Reza is among the Pakistanis who were also on the cargo ship 'MV Mishki' sailing under a Panama flag when it anchored outside Karachi in August, 2017.

"Since that time the ship has been here with cargo as the crew members have still not been paid their dues which comes to about USD 300,000," Reza said.

Ironically the stand-off persists despite the Sindh High Court recently passing an order that the cargo agent, a Pakistani national in Karachi, must make arrangements to pay off the dues to allow the crew members to return to their homes.

"These nine people including the five Indians are surviving in very poor conditions. Despite the court order the dues have not been cleared as yet and we will be filing a petition again in the court on Monday," said activist Ansar Burney of the Burney Welfare Trust.

Burney has been in touch with the ship crew since last year and said the owner is Somalian and his offices are in Dubai but he has been out of reach so far.

"I have personally called him several times and sent him messages but he is not responding," Burney said.

The ship sailed first from Karachi to Dubai to drop off some cargo last year then picked up more cargo to drop off in Karachi and then in Somalia.

"The problem arose when we reached Karachi port and anchored here and even unloaded half of the cargo. But we did not move on to Somalia because of the payment issues," Reza recalled.

He said it was true that the crew had refused to leave the ship until they were paid by the owner or agent.

"How can you expect these people to return to their homes empty-handed. One of the Indian nationals has a cancer patient at home. They have made it clear they will not leave the ship until they get their money," Burney said.

He said the Sindh High Court had ordered that the agent sell off the ship and clear the dues.

"The ship also is now in bad shape. It is tough on these people as they don't have visas and cannot even leave the ship and come ashore. A representative of the Indian High Commission visited them once but after that I don't know what they have done for them," Burney said.

The crew members are now surviving by selling some cargo and ship parts or on donations from the Burney's trust for their daily food, medical and generator fuel expenses.&nbsp;

In a harrowing ordeal, nine members of a cargo ship crew, including five Indians, have been stranded on their vessel outside Pakistan's Karachi port for over a year as they have yet to be paid their dues totalling around $ 300,000.

In a harrowing ordeal, nine members of a cargo ship crew, including five Indians, have been stranded on their vessel outside Pakistan's Karachi port for over a year as they have yet to be paid their dues totalling around $ 300,000. Apart from the Indians, the crew includes four Pakistani nationals, two people from Myanmar and one each from Sudan and Kenya. "We have been lucky because we can embark the ship and come and go as we please as we are Pakistani nationals," Muhammad Reza, a member of the crew, told PTI here. Reza is among the Pakistanis who were also on the cargo ship 'MV Mishki' sailing under a Panama flag when it anchored outside Karachi in August, 2017. "Since that time the ship has been here with cargo as the crew members have still not been paid their dues which comes to about USD 300,000," Reza said. Ironically the stand-off persists despite the Sindh High Court recently passing an order that the cargo agent, a Pakistani national in Karachi, must make arrangements to pay off the dues to allow the crew members to return to their homes. "These nine people including the five Indians are surviving in very poor conditions. Despite the court order the dues have not been cleared as yet and we will be filing a petition again in the court on Monday," said activist Ansar Burney of the Burney Welfare Trust. Burney has been in touch with the ship crew since last year and said the owner is Somalian and his offices are in Dubai but he has been out of reach so far. "I have personally called him several times and sent him messages but he is not responding," Burney said. The ship sailed first from Karachi to Dubai to drop off some cargo last year then picked up more cargo to drop off in Karachi and then in Somalia. "The problem arose when we reached Karachi port and anchored here and even unloaded half of the cargo. But we did not move on to Somalia because of the payment issues," Reza recalled. He said it was true that the crew had refused to leave the ship until they were paid by the owner or agent. "How can you expect these people to return to their homes empty-handed. One of the Indian nationals has a cancer patient at home. They have made it clear they will not leave the ship until they get their money," Burney said. He said the Sindh High Court had ordered that the agent sell off the ship and clear the dues. "The ship also is now in bad shape. It is tough on these people as they don't have visas and cannot even leave the ship and come ashore. A representative of the Indian High Commission visited them once but after that I don't know what they have done for them," Burney said. The crew members are now surviving by selling some cargo and ship parts or on donations from the Burney's trust for their daily food, medical and generator fuel expenses.

Indian crew stranded on ship outside Karachi port for over a year due to non-payment of dues

A United Nations fact-finding team has claimed that Myanmar was still continuing with the genocide of Rohingya Muslims.&nbsp;

Calling for a probe by the International Criminal Court, the team presented a report at the Security Council on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The team had first disclosed the 444-page report to the public last month.&nbsp;

The fact-finding team which also proposed for the creation of an ad hoc international criminal tribunal stated that the&nbsp;conflict in Myanmar has resulted in the killing of 10,000 Rohingyas and the destruction of some 390 villages.&nbsp;

The report asked for the investigation of Myanmar's top general including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing for the genocide in Rakhine State.

Marzuki Darusman, chair of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar said that beyond mass killings, the conflict included the ostracization of the targeted population, prevention of births, and widespread displacement in camps.

"It is an ongoing genocide, We consider the genocide intent can be reasonably inferred".

"The conditions are not in place for a safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh,"&nbsp;he warned, adding any attempt would just risk more deaths.&nbsp;

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He also said that Myanmar's internal investigation had "proven to be ineffective failures".

Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced 720,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The country claims that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who had attacked the border posts in August 2017.

Rejecting the UN mission's finding the Myanmar government also questioned its independence and pointed out that it was an&nbsp;independent investigative commission made up of Asian diplomats.&nbsp;

The Security Council team was called by the Western powers but was opposed by China and Russia.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A United Nations fact-finding team has claimed that Myanmar was still continuing with the genocide of Rohingya Muslims. Calling for a probe by the International Criminal Court, the team presented a report at the Security Council on Wednesday.

A United Nations fact-finding team has claimed that Myanmar was still continuing with the genocide of Rohingya Muslims. Calling for a probe by the International Criminal Court, the team presented a report at the Security Council on Wednesday. The team had first disclosed the 444-page report to the public last month. The fact-finding team which also proposed for the creation of an ad hoc international criminal tribunal stated that the conflict in Myanmar has resulted in the killing of 10,000 Rohingyas and the destruction of some 390 villages. The report asked for the investigation of Myanmar's top general including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing for the genocide in Rakhine State. Marzuki Darusman, chair of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar said that beyond mass killings, the conflict included the ostracization of the targeted population, prevention of births, and widespread displacement in camps. "It is an ongoing genocide, We consider the genocide intent can be reasonably inferred". "The conditions are not in place for a safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh," he warned, adding any attempt would just risk more deaths. × He also said that Myanmar's internal investigation had "proven to be ineffective failures". Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced 720,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh. The country claims that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who had attacked the border posts in August 2017. Rejecting the UN mission's finding the Myanmar government also questioned its independence and pointed out that it was an independent investigative commission made up of Asian diplomats. The Security Council team was called by the Western powers but was opposed by China and Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

'Ongoing genocide' underway against Rohingya in Myanmar: United Nations

Hindu refugees from Myanmar living in a camp in Bangladesh have been celebrating the festival of Durga Puja for the first time since fleeing violence in northern Rakhine state last year.

More than 500 Hindus escaped their homes last August along with over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims as Myanmar's army launched a brutal crackdown that the UN says amounted to "ethnic cleansing".

Hindu community leader Jibon Sharma told AFP that the terrifying circumstances of their escape prevented them from celebrating the annual festival last year.

But now local authorities in southeastern Bangladesh and the country's Hindu minority have helped them, including with materials to build the pavilions housing displays of the many-armed goddess Durga.

"When we were in Myanmar we used to worship regularly. But it's different here. Bangladeshis helped us beyond imagination with money and clothes," Sharma told AFP.

"We are very grateful to them."

The Hindu refugees say that their community was attacked in August 2017 in northern Rakhine state by Rohingya militants, and relations with the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remain tense.

The Hindus are camping only a kilometre or two (a mile) around away from the world's largest refugee camp -- Kutupalong near Cox's Bazar -- where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have been living.

"We have full-time security posted at this camp. We are well aware of the tension between them," said police official Jahangir Alam.

The festival includes 10 days of music and cultural performances, as well as clothes being gifted to cheering children.

"I forgot when was the last time we had such a great Puja (prayer ritual). I am seeing my kids' happy faces... I am very happy," Suma Paul, a Hindu refugee, said as she cried happy tears.

Hindu refugees from Myanmar living in a camp in Bangladesh have been celebrating the festival of Durga Puja for the first time since fleeing violence in northern Rakhine state last year.

Hindu refugees from Myanmar living in a camp in Bangladesh have been celebrating the festival of Durga Puja for the first time since fleeing violence in northern Rakhine state last year. More than 500 Hindus escaped their homes last August along with over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims as Myanmar's army launched a brutal crackdown that the UN says amounted to "ethnic cleansing". Hindu community leader Jibon Sharma told AFP that the terrifying circumstances of their escape prevented them from celebrating the annual festival last year. But now local authorities in southeastern Bangladesh and the country's Hindu minority have helped them, including with materials to build the pavilions housing displays of the many-armed goddess Durga. "When we were in Myanmar we used to worship regularly. But it's different here. Bangladeshis helped us beyond imagination with money and clothes," Sharma told AFP. "We are very grateful to them." The Hindu refugees say that their community was attacked in August 2017 in northern Rakhine state by Rohingya militants, and relations with the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remain tense. The Hindus are camping only a kilometre or two (a mile) around away from the world's largest refugee camp -- Kutupalong near Cox's Bazar -- where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have been living. "We have full-time security posted at this camp. We are well aware of the tension between them," said police official Jahangir Alam. The festival includes 10 days of music and cultural performances, as well as clothes being gifted to cheering children. "I forgot when was the last time we had such a great Puja (prayer ritual). I am seeing my kids' happy faces... I am very happy," Suma Paul, a Hindu refugee, said as she cried happy tears.

Myanmar's Hindu refugees mark festival in Bangladesh camp

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hear a briefing next week from the head of a UN fact-finding mission that has accused Myanmar's military of atrocities against Muslim Rohingya, diplomats said Thursday.

Nine countries including the United States, Britain and France requested the briefing that is likely to be opposed by China, which has friendly ties with Myanmar's military.

The meeting was scheduled for October 24 despite objections from Myanmar, which has rejected the findings of the UN inquiry.

The fact-finding mission released an explosive report last month that called on the council to refer the Myanmar situation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, or to create an ad hoc international criminal tribunal, as was done with the former Yugoslavia.

The report said that Myanmar's top generals, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine State.

Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh.

Myanmar's Ambassador Hau Do Suan said in a letter to the Security Council this week that his government "strongly objects" to the request to hear the chairman of the mission.

Britain, France, Peru, Sweden, Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Poland, Kuwait and the United States requested the meeting that could still be blocked by a procedural vote.&nbsp;

If there is no move to block the meeting, the council will hear from Marzuki Darusman, an Indonesian lawyer who was appointed last year by the UN Human Rights Council to chair the mission.

In its report, the mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the atrocities &nbsp;were committed with the intention of destroying the Rohingya, warranting the charges of "genocide."

Myanmar maintains that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who attacked border posts in August 2017.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hear a briefing next week from the head of a UN fact-finding mission that has accused Myanmar's military of atrocities against Muslim Rohingya, diplomats said Thursday.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hear a briefing next week from the head of a UN fact-finding mission that has accused Myanmar's military of atrocities against Muslim Rohingya, diplomats said Thursday. Nine countries including the United States, Britain and France requested the briefing that is likely to be opposed by China, which has friendly ties with Myanmar's military. The meeting was scheduled for October 24 despite objections from Myanmar, which has rejected the findings of the UN inquiry. The fact-finding mission released an explosive report last month that called on the council to refer the Myanmar situation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, or to create an ad hoc international criminal tribunal, as was done with the former Yugoslavia. The report said that Myanmar's top generals, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine State. Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh. Myanmar's Ambassador Hau Do Suan said in a letter to the Security Council this week that his government "strongly objects" to the request to hear the chairman of the mission. Britain, France, Peru, Sweden, Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Poland, Kuwait and the United States requested the meeting that could still be blocked by a procedural vote. If there is no move to block the meeting, the council will hear from Marzuki Darusman, an Indonesian lawyer who was appointed last year by the UN Human Rights Council to chair the mission. In its report, the mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the atrocities were committed with the intention of destroying the Rohingya, warranting the charges of "genocide." Myanmar maintains that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who attacked border posts in August 2017.

UN Security Council to meet on Myanmar atrocities report

Six Rohingya were killed early Friday after a blaze tore through an overcrowded camp for the persecuted minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the local fire service said.

Global attention has focused on the 720,000 Rohingya Muslims forced from the state's north into Bangladesh last year by a brutal military crackdown.

The UN Human Rights Council has accused top Myanmar generals of genocide over the bloody campaign, allegations the country strongly denies.

But less visible are the 129,000 Rohingya confined to squalid camps further south near the capital Sittwe following an earlier bout of violence in 2012.

Hundreds were killed that year in riots between Rakhine Buddhists and the stateless minority, who were corralled into destitute camps away from their former neighbours.

The conflagration in Ohndaw Chay camp, which houses some 4,000 Rohingya and lies 15 miles (24 kilometres) from Sittwe, started just before midnight and lasted several hours, fire department official Han Soe told AFP.

"Six people, one man and five women were killed," he said, adding that 15 communal longhouses were also destroyed in the blaze thought to have been started in a kitchen accident.

"We were able to bring the fire under control about 1:10 am this morning and had put it out completely by around 3 am," he said.&nbsp;

A total of 822 people were left without shelter, local media reported.

Conditions in the camps are dire and Rohingya trapped there have virtually no access to healthcare, education and work, relying on food handouts from aid agencies to survive.

Access into the camps is also tightly controlled, effectively cutting their inhabitants off from the outside world and leaving their plight largely forgotten.

Fires in the camps are common because of "severe" overcrowding, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"Many camp residents have built makeshift extensions to their shelters to create more space for their families. So when a fire breaks out, it is more likely to spread quickly," said OCHA spokesman Pierre Peron.

Hla Win, a Rohingya man from a nearby camp, told AFP that fire trucks were slow to arrive along the dilapidated roads from Sittwe and the lack of water also hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze.

"We have no ponds near the camps," he said. "That's why the fire destroyed so much."&nbsp;

Myanmar has vowed to close nearly 20 of the camps around Sittwe in the coming months.

Rights groups say the move will achieve little without ending movement restrictions or granting Rohingya a pathway to citizenship.

Six Rohingya were killed early Friday after a blaze tore through an overcrowded camp for the persecuted minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the local fire service said.

Six Rohingya were killed early Friday after a blaze tore through an overcrowded camp for the persecuted minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the local fire service said. Global attention has focused on the 720,000 Rohingya Muslims forced from the state's north into Bangladesh last year by a brutal military crackdown. The UN Human Rights Council has accused top Myanmar generals of genocide over the bloody campaign, allegations the country strongly denies. But less visible are the 129,000 Rohingya confined to squalid camps further south near the capital Sittwe following an earlier bout of violence in 2012. Hundreds were killed that year in riots between Rakhine Buddhists and the stateless minority, who were corralled into destitute camps away from their former neighbours. The conflagration in Ohndaw Chay camp, which houses some 4,000 Rohingya and lies 15 miles (24 kilometres) from Sittwe, started just before midnight and lasted several hours, fire department official Han Soe told AFP. "Six people, one man and five women were killed," he said, adding that 15 communal longhouses were also destroyed in the blaze thought to have been started in a kitchen accident. "We were able to bring the fire under control about 1:10 am this morning and had put it out completely by around 3 am," he said. A total of 822 people were left without shelter, local media reported. Conditions in the camps are dire and Rohingya trapped there have virtually no access to healthcare, education and work, relying on food handouts from aid agencies to survive. Access into the camps is also tightly controlled, effectively cutting their inhabitants off from the outside world and leaving their plight largely forgotten. Fires in the camps are common because of "severe" overcrowding, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "Many camp residents have built makeshift extensions to their shelters to create more space for their families. So when a fire breaks out, it is more likely to spread quickly," said OCHA spokesman Pierre Peron. Hla Win, a Rohingya man from a nearby camp, told AFP that fire trucks were slow to arrive along the dilapidated roads from Sittwe and the lack of water also hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze. "We have no ponds near the camps," he said. "That's why the fire destroyed so much." Myanmar has vowed to close nearly 20 of the camps around Sittwe in the coming months. Rights groups say the move will achieve little without ending movement restrictions or granting Rohingya a pathway to citizenship.

Six dead in fire at Rohingya camp in Myanmar

The United States and eight other countries on Tuesday requested a UN Security Council meeting on Myanmar to hear from a UN fact-finding mission that has accused the country's military of atrocities against Rohingyas.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-almost-doubles-aid-rohingya-bangladesh-myanmar-nikki-haley-167498">Also Read:&nbsp;Aid doubled for Rohingyas in Bangladesh, Myanmar, says&nbsp;Nikki Haley&nbsp;</a>

The request is likely to run into opposition from China, which has friendly ties with Myanmar's military and has sought to shield Myanmar from action by the Security Council.

In a joint letter seen by AFP, the nine countries said the mission's chairperson should brief the council to allow it to "receive further information on this situation and its implications for international peace and security."

The UN fact-finding mission released an explosive report last month that called on the council to refer the Myanmar situation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, or to create an ad hoc international criminal tribunal, as was done with the former Yugoslavia.

The fact-finding mission said that Myanmar's top generals, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine State.

Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh.

- Myanmar objects - 
In a separate letter to the council, Myanmar's Ambassador Hau Do Suan said his government "strongly objects" to the request to hear the fact-finding mission.

The ambassador repeated Myanmar's complaints that the report was "one-sided", based on "narratives and not on hard evidence".

"Putting accountability above all else without regard to other positive developments is a dangerous attempt that will face utter failure," he warned in the letter obtained by AFP.

Britain, France, Peru, Sweden, Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Poland and Kuwait jointed the United States in requesting the meeting to be held during the month of October.

Support from the nine countries for the request means that China would likely fail to block a meeting through a procedural vote. Nine votes are required at the 15-member council to approve an agenda item and vetoes do not apply.

Myanmar maintains that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who attacked border posts in August 2017.

But the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the atrocities were committed with the intention of destroying the Rohingya, warranting the charges of "genocide."

The report found that the military's tactics had been "consistently and grossly disproportionate to actual security threats", and said that estimates that some 10,000 people were killed in the crackdown was likely a conservative figure.

The United States and eight other countries on Tuesday requested a UN Security Council meeting on Myanmar to hear from a UN fact-finding mission that has accused the country's military of atrocities against Rohingyas.

The United States and eight other countries on Tuesday requested a UN Security Council meeting on Myanmar to hear from a UN fact-finding mission that has accused the country's military of atrocities against Rohingyas. Also Read: Aid doubled for Rohingyas in Bangladesh, Myanmar, says Nikki Haley The request is likely to run into opposition from China, which has friendly ties with Myanmar's military and has sought to shield Myanmar from action by the Security Council. In a joint letter seen by AFP, the nine countries said the mission's chairperson should brief the council to allow it to "receive further information on this situation and its implications for international peace and security." The UN fact-finding mission released an explosive report last month that called on the council to refer the Myanmar situation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, or to create an ad hoc international criminal tribunal, as was done with the former Yugoslavia. The fact-finding mission said that Myanmar's top generals, including Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine State. Myanmar has rejected accusations that its military committed atrocities in the crackdown last year that forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee over the border to Bangladesh. - Myanmar objects - In a separate letter to the council, Myanmar's Ambassador Hau Do Suan said his government "strongly objects" to the request to hear the fact-finding mission. The ambassador repeated Myanmar's complaints that the report was "one-sided", based on "narratives and not on hard evidence". "Putting accountability above all else without regard to other positive developments is a dangerous attempt that will face utter failure," he warned in the letter obtained by AFP. Britain, France, Peru, Sweden, Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Poland and Kuwait jointed the United States in requesting the meeting to be held during the month of October. Support from the nine countries for the request means that China would likely fail to block a meeting through a procedural vote. Nine votes are required at the 15-member council to approve an agenda item and vetoes do not apply. Myanmar maintains that the violence in Rakhine was triggered by Rohingya extremists who attacked border posts in August 2017. But the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the atrocities were committed with the intention of destroying the Rohingya, warranting the charges of "genocide." The report found that the military's tactics had been "consistently and grossly disproportionate to actual security threats", and said that estimates that some 10,000 people were killed in the crackdown was likely a conservative figure.

US requests UNSC meet on Myanmar over Rohingya issue

Dozens of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;garment workers were injured on Monday after a clash with assailants wielding iron bars outside a Chinese-owned factory in Yangon, witnesses and hospital staff said.

Hundreds of employees of Fu Yuen Garment Co Ltd, which has produced clothes for German supermarket chain Lidl and British fashion brand Joules, according to shipment records published by global trade data website Panjiva, have been striking for weeks demanding the reinstatement of 30 sacked workers.

Myanmar’s textile industry is the country’s top export earner after oil and gas, employing more than 450,000 people and generating more than $2 billion in exports last year.

Hundreds of thousands of jobs in the sector could soon be at risk as the European Union considers whether to reinstate economic sanctions over the Rohingya crisis, potentially stripping the country of tariff-free access to the trading bloc.

A spokesman for Lidl told Reuters the company was liaising with the supplier to investigate the claims. "Once we have obtained all of the facts, we will make an assessment of the situation and take action, if necessary," he said in an email.

A spokeswoman for Joules said the brand stopped working with the factory in April 2018.

Staff at Fu Yuen Ltd, in Dagon Seikkan township on the outskirts of the commercial capital of Yangon, have been demonstrating since August, after 30 members of a committee that had been campaigning for better conditions for workers were fired.

“They want to crush the committee,” said Hla Ohn Mar, 21, one of the sacked leaders, speaking in the emergency department of Thingangyun hospital, which was crowded with young workers on Monday afternoon.

Twenty-four people were admitted for treatment, the head of the hospital, Dr Aung San Min, told Reuters. “We are treating six as in-patients,” he said.

Workers said about 20 to 30 men in civilian clothing rounded on the crowd of mostly young women gathered outside the factory gates in the early hours of Monday.

“Those guys are gangsters,” said one of the injured workers, 21-year-old Thae Nu Khaing, as trickles of blood ran down her forehead, one leg bandaged in a plaster cast.

“They pushed me and beat my leg with a metal stick,” she said. “I wasn’t afraid – I was just angry and crying.”

Police blamed workers for the violence, saying in a statement a fight had broken out after a small group urged employees still working at the factory to participate in the protest.

"Both groups have an argument and violence happened," the statement said.

Win Myint, an officer from Dagon Seikkan township station, said officers had been deployed to guard the area but no one had been arrested.

Contacted by Reuters, the township administrator referred questions to Fu Yuen, which could not be reached for comment.

Dozens of Myanmar garment workers were injured on Monday after a clash with assailants wielding iron bars outside a Chinese-owned factory in Yangon, witnesses and hospital staff said.

Dozens of Myanmar garment workers were injured on Monday after a clash with assailants wielding iron bars outside a Chinese-owned factory in Yangon, witnesses and hospital staff said. Hundreds of employees of Fu Yuen Garment Co Ltd, which has produced clothes for German supermarket chain Lidl and British fashion brand Joules, according to shipment records published by global trade data website Panjiva, have been striking for weeks demanding the reinstatement of 30 sacked workers. Myanmar’s textile industry is the country’s top export earner after oil and gas, employing more than 450,000 people and generating more than $2 billion in exports last year. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in the sector could soon be at risk as the European Union considers whether to reinstate economic sanctions over the Rohingya crisis, potentially stripping the country of tariff-free access to the trading bloc. A spokesman for Lidl told Reuters the company was liaising with the supplier to investigate the claims. "Once we have obtained all of the facts, we will make an assessment of the situation and take action, if necessary," he said in an email. A spokeswoman for Joules said the brand stopped working with the factory in April 2018. Staff at Fu Yuen Ltd, in Dagon Seikkan township on the outskirts of the commercial capital of Yangon, have been demonstrating since August, after 30 members of a committee that had been campaigning for better conditions for workers were fired. “They want to crush the committee,” said Hla Ohn Mar, 21, one of the sacked leaders, speaking in the emergency department of Thingangyun hospital, which was crowded with young workers on Monday afternoon. Twenty-four people were admitted for treatment, the head of the hospital, Dr Aung San Min, told Reuters. “We are treating six as in-patients,” he said. Workers said about 20 to 30 men in civilian clothing rounded on the crowd of mostly young women gathered outside the factory gates in the early hours of Monday. “Those guys are gangsters,” said one of the injured workers, 21-year-old Thae Nu Khaing, as trickles of blood ran down her forehead, one leg bandaged in a plaster cast. “They pushed me and beat my leg with a metal stick,” she said. “I wasn’t afraid – I was just angry and crying.” Police blamed workers for the violence, saying in a statement a fight had broken out after a small group urged employees still working at the factory to participate in the protest. "Both groups have an argument and violence happened," the statement said. Win Myint, an officer from Dagon Seikkan township station, said officers had been deployed to guard the area but no one had been arrested. Contacted by Reuters, the township administrator referred questions to Fu Yuen, which could not be reached for comment.

Dozens injured in crackdown on Myanmar garment worker protest

An ultra-nationalist monk -- dubbed the "Buddhist Bin Laden" -- on Sunday condemned the international community for their calls to bring Myanmar's generals to justice over the Rohingya crisis.

Firebrand monk Wirathu, known as the face of Myanmar's Buddhist nationalist movement, was speaking at a pro-military rally that attracted hundreds of supporters, his first since being barred from giving public sermons last year.

The ban, which ended in March, was issued by a council of senior monks who said Wirathu had "repeatedly delivered hate speech against religions to cause communal strife".

The hate speech he espouses -- which includes calling the Rohingya Muslim minority "Bengali" in an attempt to delegitimize their identity as being from Myanmar -- has also caused Facebook to ban him from their platform.

The hardline abbot on Sunday reverted to his signature rhetoric at the rally to protest calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Myanmar's generals for genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

"The day when the ICC comes here...Is the day that Wirathu holds a gun," he said in a speech that often referred to himself in the third person.

He lauded China and Russia in the UN Security Council as "nationalist giants who stand with the truth" in their role of preventing any firm action against Myanmar.

"Don't lie to the world saying that Bengalis are Rohingya because you want to promote Islamisation in Myanmar," Wirathu said.

"Don't destroy our country by creating a fake ethnic group."&nbsp;

The military has said their brutal crackdown -- which led to more than 720,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border carrying accounts of rape, arson and murder -- was warranted for combatting terrorism.

While much of the world has regarded the unfolding Rohingya crisis with horror, the majority of people within Myanmar side with the military as the Muslim minority group is widely detested.

The supporters showed up in force at Sunday's march, with hundreds gathering in front of downtown Yangon's iconic Sule Pagoda carrying giant portraits of army chief General Min Aung Hlaing, who UN investigators say is the most responsible.

"We can't stand the bullying of the army chief and the Tatmadaw by the international community," said protester Khine Thet Mar, 46, using the Myanmar name for the military. The UN Human

Rights Council voted last month to prepare for criminal indictments over the atrocities in Myanmar.

Min Aung Hlaing has remained defiant in the face of international pressure, saying that no country, organisation or group has the "right to interfere in" Myanmar's sovereignty.&nbsp;

An ultra-nationalist monk -- dubbed the "Buddhist Bin Laden" -- on Sunday condemned the international community for their calls to bring Myanmar's generals to justice over the Rohingya crisis.

An ultra-nationalist monk -- dubbed the "Buddhist Bin Laden" -- on Sunday condemned the international community for their calls to bring Myanmar's generals to justice over the Rohingya crisis. Firebrand monk Wirathu, known as the face of Myanmar's Buddhist nationalist movement, was speaking at a pro-military rally that attracted hundreds of supporters, his first since being barred from giving public sermons last year. The ban, which ended in March, was issued by a council of senior monks who said Wirathu had "repeatedly delivered hate speech against religions to cause communal strife". The hate speech he espouses -- which includes calling the Rohingya Muslim minority "Bengali" in an attempt to delegitimize their identity as being from Myanmar -- has also caused Facebook to ban him from their platform. The hardline abbot on Sunday reverted to his signature rhetoric at the rally to protest calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Myanmar's generals for genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority. "The day when the ICC comes here...Is the day that Wirathu holds a gun," he said in a speech that often referred to himself in the third person. He lauded China and Russia in the UN Security Council as "nationalist giants who stand with the truth" in their role of preventing any firm action against Myanmar. "Don't lie to the world saying that Bengalis are Rohingya because you want to promote Islamisation in Myanmar," Wirathu said. "Don't destroy our country by creating a fake ethnic group." The military has said their brutal crackdown -- which led to more than 720,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border carrying accounts of rape, arson and murder -- was warranted for combatting terrorism. While much of the world has regarded the unfolding Rohingya crisis with horror, the majority of people within Myanmar side with the military as the Muslim minority group is widely detested. The supporters showed up in force at Sunday's march, with hundreds gathering in front of downtown Yangon's iconic Sule Pagoda carrying giant portraits of army chief General Min Aung Hlaing, who UN investigators say is the most responsible. "We can't stand the bullying of the army chief and the Tatmadaw by the international community," said protester Khine Thet Mar, 46, using the Myanmar name for the military. The UN Human Rights Council voted last month to prepare for criminal indictments over the atrocities in Myanmar. Min Aung Hlaing has remained defiant in the face of international pressure, saying that no country, organisation or group has the "right to interfere in" Myanmar's sovereignty.

Rohingya crisis: Firebrand monk Wirathu hits back at UN, international community

JKNPP activists Sunday staged a protest in Jammu, seeking immediate deportation of illegally settled Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu and Kashmir winter capital.&nbsp;

Led by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh, over a dozen party activists assembled at the Exhibition ground and held a demonstration to press for early deportation of the foreign immigrants.

They burnt an effigy of the Centre alleging that it had failed to evict these unlawful foreigners and raised slogans 'Chodho Hamara Jammu Pradesh, Rohingyas Jaao Bangladesh' and 'Rohingyas, Bangladeshis go back'.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The natives of Myanmar and Bangladesh have already been identified in Jammu city and its adjacent areas, and as such they should be immediately deported from Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said.

"Don't pass statements, just act... Do not test the patience of the nationalist Dogras. Deport them (Rohingyas and Bangladeshis) otherwise the nasty situation could lead to devastating socio-political conflict between the hosts and the unlawful foreigners, the JKNPP leader warned.&nbsp;

Claiming that the people were sick of the stereotype statements issued by Central leaders for mere media consumption, Singh alleged that while the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were settled in Jammu during the Congress-National Conference rule, the BJP had been hand in glove with its erstwhile ally PDP in providing them all kinds of civic amenities to settle them in and around the city under a deep-rooted conspiracy to reduce Dogras to minority.

They had illegally built slums at some of the congested colonies in Jammu city and managed to procure permanent resident certificates, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, free water and electric connections, besides admissions of their children in government schools, he claimed.

Singh said despite proven "criminal antecedents"&nbsp;of Rohingyas, the Centre and the governor administration were not taking cognisance of the alarming situation which could explode and flare up tension in the entire Jammu province.

With the illegal settlement of these foreign immigrants, not only the demography of Jammu city and its peripheral areas are under threat but they had become a hub of serious crimes, he alleged.

The JKNPP leader claimed that the illegal immigrants described as "ticking time bombs" by the intelligentsia had been found active in fuelling narco-smuggling, human trafficking, child abductions, beggary, border crossing and other crimes.&nbsp;

Besides, they enjoy the patronage of various radical terror outfits active in the valley, he alleged.

JKNPP activists Sunday staged a protest in Jammu, seeking immediate deportation of illegally settled Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu and Kashmir winter capital.

JKNPP activists Sunday staged a protest in Jammu, seeking immediate deportation of illegally settled Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu and Kashmir winter capital. Led by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh, over a dozen party activists assembled at the Exhibition ground and held a demonstration to press for early deportation of the foreign immigrants. They burnt an effigy of the Centre alleging that it had failed to evict these unlawful foreigners and raised slogans 'Chodho Hamara Jammu Pradesh, Rohingyas Jaao Bangladesh' and 'Rohingyas, Bangladeshis go back'. The natives of Myanmar and Bangladesh have already been identified in Jammu city and its adjacent areas, and as such they should be immediately deported from Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said. "Don't pass statements, just act... Do not test the patience of the nationalist Dogras. Deport them (Rohingyas and Bangladeshis) otherwise the nasty situation could lead to devastating socio-political conflict between the hosts and the unlawful foreigners, the JKNPP leader warned. Claiming that the people were sick of the stereotype statements issued by Central leaders for mere media consumption, Singh alleged that while the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were settled in Jammu during the Congress-National Conference rule, the BJP had been hand in glove with its erstwhile ally PDP in providing them all kinds of civic amenities to settle them in and around the city under a deep-rooted conspiracy to reduce Dogras to minority. They had illegally built slums at some of the congested colonies in Jammu city and managed to procure permanent resident certificates, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, free water and electric connections, besides admissions of their children in government schools, he claimed. Singh said despite proven "criminal antecedents" of Rohingyas, the Centre and the governor administration were not taking cognisance of the alarming situation which could explode and flare up tension in the entire Jammu province. With the illegal settlement of these foreign immigrants, not only the demography of Jammu city and its peripheral areas are under threat but they had become a hub of serious crimes, he alleged. The JKNPP leader claimed that the illegal immigrants described as "ticking time bombs" by the intelligentsia had been found active in fuelling narco-smuggling, human trafficking, child abductions, beggary, border crossing and other crimes. Besides, they enjoy the patronage of various radical terror outfits active in the valley, he alleged.

JKNPP demands immediate deportation of Rohingyas, Bangladeshis from Jammu

Three senior journalists at Myanmar's largest private newspaper were remanded in custody after handing themselves in to police on Wednesday, facing accusations of causing "fear or alarm" following a complaint from the Yangon regional government.

One of the men, Eleven Media Group's editor-in-chief Kyaw Zaw Linn, had earlier told Reuters that police raided the paper's offices at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, but he and two other journalists sought by the authorities were not there.

"The office informed me that they came because of an article in the journal," he said, shortly before entering a police station in central Yangon's Tamwe township with lawyers on Wednesday morning.

Hours later the three journalists were taken in handcuffs to Tamwe township court, where they were remanded in custody to Insein Prison, northern Yangon, until Oct. 17.

Defence lawyer Kyi Myint told reporters outside the courthouse that the Yangon regional government had filed a complaint over an article by the paper's chief reporter Phyo Wai Win. The article, published on Monday, included quotes from regional lawmakers raising questions about public spending, including on an overhaul of transport in the country's commercial hub.

Yangon's regional government is headed by Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein, a protégé of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a member of her National League for Democracy party.

The chief minister's assistant, Maung Maung Kyi, declined to comment on the complaint filed by the regional government, referring all questions to an information department that Reuters was unable to reach on Wednesday. National government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer a call seeking comment.

Police told staff at Eleven Media on Tuesday evening that a case had been opened against Kyaw Zaw Linn, Phyo Wai Win and editor-in-charge Nayi Min under Section 505 (b) of the country's colonial-era penal code, said Ko Oo, an editor at the paper.

Section 505 (b) prohibits publishing information that may "cause fear or alarm", that could cause someone to commit an offence, or disrupt "public tranquillity". It carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

Lawyer Kyi Myint said the trio's defence would be that the article was accurate.

"I didn't write anything wrong," said Phyo Wai Win as he entered the police station. "I only wrote the truth."

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Myanmar said in a statement it was "deeply shocked and disturbed" by the arrest of the three journalists, while Amnesty International's director of crisis response, Tirana Hassan, called for their immediate release.

Free speech advocates say press freedom in Myanmar has retreated under the administration of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, who took power in 2016 under a constitution that preserves the military's role in politics despite a formal end to decades of army rule.

A total of 38 journalists have faced charges under various laws during her administration, freedom of expression group Athan said last month.

Two Reuters reporters were convicted last month of breaching the Official Secrets Act and sentenced to seven years in prison, drawing global condemnation. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were detained last December while investigating a massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims that took place during a military crackdown in western Rakhine state.

Last month, a former newspaper columnist who was harshly critical of Suu Kyi on Facebook was sentenced to seven years in prison for sedition.

The chief executive and another editor of Eleven Media were detained for nearly two months in late 2016 on charges relating to a complaint made by Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein over a Facebook post alleging corruption in his ties with local businessmen. Phyo Min Thein told a news conference at the time that the allegations were "intended to defame my personal dignity". Eleven Media published an apology.

Three senior journalists at Myanmar's largest private newspaper were remanded in custody after handing themselves in to police on Wednesday, facing accusations of causing "fear or alarm" following a complaint from the Yangon regional government.

Three senior journalists at Myanmar's largest private newspaper were remanded in custody after handing themselves in to police on Wednesday, facing accusations of causing "fear or alarm" following a complaint from the Yangon regional government. One of the men, Eleven Media Group's editor-in-chief Kyaw Zaw Linn, had earlier told Reuters that police raided the paper's offices at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, but he and two other journalists sought by the authorities were not there. "The office informed me that they came because of an article in the journal," he said, shortly before entering a police station in central Yangon's Tamwe township with lawyers on Wednesday morning. Hours later the three journalists were taken in handcuffs to Tamwe township court, where they were remanded in custody to Insein Prison, northern Yangon, until Oct. 17. Defence lawyer Kyi Myint told reporters outside the courthouse that the Yangon regional government had filed a complaint over an article by the paper's chief reporter Phyo Wai Win. The article, published on Monday, included quotes from regional lawmakers raising questions about public spending, including on an overhaul of transport in the country's commercial hub. Yangon's regional government is headed by Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein, a protégé of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a member of her National League for Democracy party. The chief minister's assistant, Maung Maung Kyi, declined to comment on the complaint filed by the regional government, referring all questions to an information department that Reuters was unable to reach on Wednesday. National government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer a call seeking comment. Police told staff at Eleven Media on Tuesday evening that a case had been opened against Kyaw Zaw Linn, Phyo Wai Win and editor-in-charge Nayi Min under Section 505 (b) of the country's colonial-era penal code, said Ko Oo, an editor at the paper. Section 505 (b) prohibits publishing information that may "cause fear or alarm", that could cause someone to commit an offence, or disrupt "public tranquillity". It carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Lawyer Kyi Myint said the trio's defence would be that the article was accurate. "I didn't write anything wrong," said Phyo Wai Win as he entered the police station. "I only wrote the truth." The Foreign Correspondents Club of Myanmar said in a statement it was "deeply shocked and disturbed" by the arrest of the three journalists, while Amnesty International's director of crisis response, Tirana Hassan, called for their immediate release. Free speech advocates say press freedom in Myanmar has retreated under the administration of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, who took power in 2016 under a constitution that preserves the military's role in politics despite a formal end to decades of army rule. A total of 38 journalists have faced charges under various laws during her administration, freedom of expression group Athan said last month. Two Reuters reporters were convicted last month of breaching the Official Secrets Act and sentenced to seven years in prison, drawing global condemnation. Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were detained last December while investigating a massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslims that took place during a military crackdown in western Rakhine state. Last month, a former newspaper columnist who was harshly critical of Suu Kyi on Facebook was sentenced to seven years in prison for sedition. The chief executive and another editor of Eleven Media were detained for nearly two months in late 2016 on charges relating to a complaint made by Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein over a Facebook post alleging corruption in his ties with local businessmen. Phyo Min Thein told a news conference at the time that the allegations were "intended to defame my personal dignity". Eleven Media published an apology.

Myanmar newspaper journalists held after handing themselves in to police

'Better to die in India than return to Myanmar', say Rohingya refugees

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