Myanmar refugees may turn to extremism -Bangladeshi FM

BANGLADESH: Myanmar nationals staying in Bangladesh as refugees could turn to extremism, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said on Saturday, as he sought help from India and other countries in the region to repatriate them.

“I am talking about the massive influx of Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh who have been forcibly pushed out of their own country and Bangladesh is providing them with food and shelter on humanitarian grounds,” Momen said while delivering a special address at the inaugural session of the two-day Asian Confluence River Conclave-Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence 3 (NADI-3) in Guwahati.

There are about 1.1 million Rohingya refugees living in makeshift camps in the Cox’s Bazar region in South-eastern Bangladesh after fleeing from neighbouring Myanmar.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Ambassadors and High Commissioners of several Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar attended the session.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had taken steps to end extremism and terrorism in the region (by dealing sternly with rebel groups from Northeastern region who had camps in the country), he said.

“Because of that, security and stability of this region has enhanced and this helped in economic activity and development of the whole region, including Bangladesh and neighbouring countries,” Momen said. “We should work together to maintain stability and security of this region by repatriating this displaced and persecuted people from Bangladesh’s soil.” – THE HINDUSTAN TIMES