ASIA-MIGRANTS/BANGLADESH Bangladeshi migrants found in Myanmar returned home

Record ID: 150510

  • Title: ASIA-MIGRANTS/BANGLADESH Bangladeshi migrants found in Myanmar returned home
  • Date: 8th June 2015
  • Summary: GHUMDHUM, BANGLADESH (JUNE 8, 2015) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VARIOUS OF GUARD STANDING BY ROAD NEAR THE BANGLADESH/MYANMAR BORDER BANGLADESHI POLICE VAN DRIVING PAST VEHICLES BY SIDE OF ROAD OFFICIALS OF MYANMAR & BANGLADESH SIGN PAPERS AT MEETING VARIOUS OF BANGLADESHI BORDER GUARD POLICE AND OTHER OFFICIALS LEADING BANGLADESHI MIGRANTS TO VA
  • Embargoed: 23rd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bangladesh
  • Country: Bangladesh
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAGM74DNFAIDUYQW131QGRERTI
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Myanmar's Border Police handed 150 Bangladeshi citizens over to Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday (June 8), after a meeting at the border between the two countries.
    The first 30 migrants crossed the 'Bangladesh Myanmar Friendship Bridge' at Ghumdhum, a small area 50km from Cox's Bazaar and 400km from the capital, Dakar.
    BGB officials say the remainder of the group, who were rescued from a boat near Myanmar's coast while being trafficked to Malaysia, will soon follow.
    The foreign ministry said the process was a clear demonstration of the government's seriousness to repatriate returning migrants as rapidly as possible.
    A 10-strong representative team headed by BGB Battalion-7 Chief Lt Col Khandaker Saiful Alam attended the meeting with Myanmar's delegation.
    Police, immigration, home ministry and foreign ministry officers were also on the team.
    Cox's Bazaar BGB Sector Commander Col Md Khalekuzzaman said on May 21 that 208 people were rescued from a boat near Myanmar coast, but it was claimed by Myanmar's officials that 200 of them were Bangladeshis.
    Bangladesh's border team had postponed their visit to Myanmar, arguing that the list of rescued Bangladeshis sent by the Myanmar authorities appeared 'confusing' and 'incomplete'.
    BGB has since identified 150 of the 200 listed people as Bangladeshis.
    The 150, once returned, will be held in Ghumdhum's Naikkhanchharhi High School and handed over to police for questioning.
    Myanmar's navy rescued another migrant ship on May 29, this time with 727 on board. They claimed there were also Bangladeshis on this ship.
    Khalekuzzaman said the foreign ministries of the two countries were discussing the issue.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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