Myanmar officials return without Rohingiya repatriation

Ukhiya Rohingya Refugee Camp

Jehangir Hussain

The Myanmar Immigration Department’s delegation returned to Myanmar on Wednesday without reaching any settlement on the Rohingya repatriation issue.

“They returned to Myanmar via Jaliapara Jetty Ghat in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, around 10.30 am on Wednesday.  The Myanmar delegation  collected details of 499 Rohingyas of 149 families during their visit. They met with the enlisted Rohingyas at Teknaf Shal Port and recorded their statements,” Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) officials said.

During the visit, the delegation reviewed the list of Rohingyas sent to Myanmar.

The delegation also discussed the authenticity of children born to listed Rohingyas during their stay in Bangladesh, RRRC officials said. 

On Tuesday, Md Shamsud Douza, Additional Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner  told the local journalists that the Myanmar delegation verified the information of around 450 Rohingyas in last seven days.

However, the officials of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner's office in Cox's Bazar declined  to comment on the matter.

According to sources, Cox's Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman is now in Dhaka to discuss the outcome of the visit with the concerned ministry. 

During its stay in Bangladesh, the delegation met with the enlisted Rohingyas at Teknaf Shal Port and recorded their statements.

Bangladesh had given a list of 830,000 Rohingyas, currently living in 33 camps in Ukhya and Teknaf, Cox's Bazar district and Bhasan Char in Noakhali district, awaiting  repatriation to Myanmar.

However, Myanmar has confirmed a list of 60,000 Rohingyas for repatriation.

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