Bangladesh relocates third group of Rohingya refugees to island
- Over 1,700 Rohingya Muslims who fled Myanmar were moved from the crowded Cox’s Bazar to Bhasan Char Island in the Bay of Bengal
- Human rights groups have criticised the move but Bangladesh insists it offers better living conditions
The government insists the relocation plan is meant to offer better living conditions while attempts to repatriate more than 1 million refugees to Myanmar would continue.
On Friday morning, 1,778 refugees started their journey to the island of Bhasan Char in four navy vessels, after they were brought to the southeastern port city of Chattogram from crammed camps in Cox’s Bazar district, said M. Mozammel Haque, a commander of the Bangladesh navy.
He said a fourth batch would be sent to the island on Saturday.
“Around 4,000 refugees have already been sent to the island since December, but we have the capacity of accommodating 100,000. The process will continue until we fulfil it,” he told reporters.
Haque said the refugees were being treated well on the island and they would have the option of generating income by rearing cattle or poultry and could also engage in making handicrafts.
He said officials wanted them to contribute to the economy, but their repatriation to Myanmar is the ultimate goal.
“They will be checked by our doctors when they arrive today. They will be given food and accommodation properly,” Haque said.