Dozens of Rohingya refugees stranded at sea for weeks have been relocated to a controversial flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh AFP reported quoting officials said Sunday.

Bangladesh last year constructed facilities for 100,000 people on Bhashan Char, a muddy silt islet in the cyclone-prone coastal belt, saying they needed to take the pressure off crowded border camps that are home to almost one million Rohingya, the report added.

The 28 Rohingya were taken to the island late Saturday instead of the camps as authorities were afraid they might be infected with the coronavirus, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen told.

"Most likely they will stay there until they return to Myanmar."

They are the first group of Rohingya to be sent to the island, local government administrator Tanmoy Das told AFP, adding they were being looked after by navy personnel who had built the facilities.

Officials said the group -- including 15 women and five children -- were detained after coming ashore on Saturday from one of two boats suck at sea while trying to reach Malaysia.

Some 250 other refugees who also left the boat in six or seven dinghies have not been found, he added.

(With inputs from AFP)

Dozens of Rohingya refugees stranded at sea for weeks have been relocated to a controversial flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh AFP reported quoting officials said Sunday.

Dozens of Rohingya refugees stranded at sea for weeks have been relocated to a controversial flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh AFP reported quoting officials said Sunday. Bangladesh last year constructed facilities for 100,000 people on Bhashan Char, a muddy silt islet in the cyclone-prone coastal belt, saying they needed to take the pressure off crowded border camps that are home to almost one million Rohingya, the report added. The 28 Rohingya were taken to the island late Saturday instead of the camps as authorities were afraid they might be infected with the coronavirus, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen told. "Most likely they will stay there until they return to Myanmar." They are the first group of Rohingya to be sent to the island, local government administrator Tanmoy Das told AFP, adding they were being looked after by navy personnel who had built the facilities. Officials said the group -- including 15 women and five children -- were detained after coming ashore on Saturday from one of two boats suck at sea while trying to reach Malaysia. Some 250 other refugees who also left the boat in six or seven dinghies have not been found, he added. (With inputs from AFP)

Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after spending weeks at sea

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, met with Canada's Special Envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae and assured him of addressing the visa issue pertaining to foreign relief workers working in Rohingya shelter camps in Bangladesh.

"The government is cautiously dealing with the matter as many foreign nationals are working in the Rohingya camps after coming to Bangladesh with tourist visa," Hasina's press secretary Ehsanul Karim quoted Hasina as saying, as per The Dhaka Tribune.

Hasina further underscored that her government is aware that many foreign nationals in the guise of relief workers are trying to infiltrate in Bangladesh.

"This may lead to child and women trafficking, sexual abuse, terrorism," she added.

She further asserted that to resolve the issue a special category visa will be issued to the relief workers.

The Bangladeshi PM later recalled historical relations between Bangladesh and Canada since Bangladesh's independence, adding that the two countries can further work on strengthening cooperation.

Rohingyas are a Muslim minority ethnic group in Myanmar, who are considered as illegal immigrants as opposed to citizens of the country.

Due to a surge in violence in western Myanmar last year, over 700,000 Rohingyas fled the country to escape the military's action. Presently, they are languishing in Bangladeshi refugee camps.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Hasina further underscored that her government is aware that many foreign nationals in the guise of relief workers are trying to infiltrate in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, met with Canada's Special Envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae and assured him of addressing the visa issue pertaining to foreign relief workers working in Rohingya shelter camps in Bangladesh. "The government is cautiously dealing with the matter as many foreign nationals are working in the Rohingya camps after coming to Bangladesh with tourist visa," Hasina's press secretary Ehsanul Karim quoted Hasina as saying, as per The Dhaka Tribune. Hasina further underscored that her government is aware that many foreign nationals in the guise of relief workers are trying to infiltrate in Bangladesh. "This may lead to child and women trafficking, sexual abuse, terrorism," she added. She further asserted that to resolve the issue a special category visa will be issued to the relief workers. The Bangladeshi PM later recalled historical relations between Bangladesh and Canada since Bangladesh's independence, adding that the two countries can further work on strengthening cooperation. Rohingyas are a Muslim minority ethnic group in Myanmar, who are considered as illegal immigrants as opposed to citizens of the country. Due to a surge in violence in western Myanmar last year, over 700,000 Rohingyas fled the country to escape the military's action. Presently, they are languishing in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

Bangladesh to issue special visa for relief workers in Rohingya camps

rohingy

Rohingy, News on Rohingy, stories on Rohingy, articles on Rohingy, Rohingy stories at Wion, Rohingy news, Rohingy latest news