285 Myanmar security personnel to be sent back on 22 April: FM Hasan

The government will send back 285 members of various security forces of Myanmar, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh in recent weeks, to their own country this week, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Friday (19 April).

At the same time, the government will bring back 150 Bangladeshis stuck in Myanmar, the minister said while addressing a programme at the conference room of the foreign ministry building in the capital.

"A total of 285 members of the Myanmar Border Guard Police and the army, who have taken refuge in Bangladesh, have been given clearance to return by sea to Myanmar. Myanmar has agreed to take them back. 

"They'll be sent back by ship on 22 April. The same ship will bring back 150 Bangladeshis stuck there," said Hasan.

However, he noted that the ship's journey will depend on the sea and the situation in Myanmar, which has recently been engulfed in violent conflicts between the army and rebel forces.

The minister made the remarks at the cover unveiling ceremony of the book "Bhubanjora Sheikh Hasinar Asonkhani" by Bangladesh Press Institute Director General and Ekushey Padak winner Zafar Wazed.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister also criticised the BNP for allegedly seeking help from foreign countries.

"BNP's greatest political weakness is going to foreigners for their support in everything. If the source of power in Bangladesh goes to the foreigners instead of the people, the foreigners will not put the BNP in power. 

"The Awami League believes in the power of the people. The people voted and elected the Awami League and gave them the responsibility of running the country. As a result, the comments of BNP leaders seem like a circus," said Hasan.

Seeking refuge

Myanmar is currently embroiled in a conflict between the Arakan Army insurgents and junta forces in Myanmar.

As the conflict grows intense, more and more Myanmar nationals have been fleeing to Bangladesh in recent weeks.

On Friday, 24 members of the neighbouring country's Border Guard Police (BGP) entered Bangladesh, taking the total number of security forces members seeking shelter here to 285.