Bangladesh
Rohingya 300 Rohingya families to move to Bhashan Char
Dhaka, November 25: Three hundred Rohingya families from the crowded refugee camps in Cox's Bazar have volunteered to move to Bhasan Char islands. The overall population of these families is in the thousands. They will be taken there after completing all the procedures.
A source in the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, Relief and Repatriation said.
More than seven and a half lakh Rohingyas took refuge in Bangladesh on August 25, 2016 due to the continuous attacks, persecution and killings by the Myanmar army.
A large number of Rohingyas also took refuge earlier. At present their number is at least 11 lakh.
The Bangladesh government, with the help of the United Nations and other countries, has set up camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar and given them shelter, but has always demanded Myanmar to take them back. The government is trying to create strong international pressure in this regard.
Even after that, the government is thinking of providing them with various humanitarian facilities. Therefore, in this situation, the government has taken initiative to send Rohingyas from the crowded camps of Ukhia and Teknaf to Bhasan Char, an isolated island in Noakhali, at their own expense to keep them safer. At least one lakh Rohingyas will be able to live in the Bhasan Char shelter camp.
It is learned that Rohingya leaders were recently taken to Bhasan Char to tour the island and the have a look at the infrastructure built there. Since then, many of these leaders have expressed different views, but many of the Rohingyas, who have been living in squalid slums, are showing keen interest in taking refuge in Bhasan Char and are discussing among themselves.
Several Rohingya leaders have also shown a positive attitude towards their people in going to Bhasanchar. After that, at least 300 Rohingya families came to the office of the Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation and expressed their interest in moving to Bhasan Char. Since then, the government has continued to take effective steps to send them there.
According to a source, the government is hopeful that if the Rohingya group can be sent to Bhasan Char safely, many more families will openly show interest in moving there.
