85 Bangladeshis return from Myanmar after serving time in prison

Dhaka Tribune (Bangladesh), 29 September, 2024

 A total of 85 Bangladeshis will return to Bangladesh on Sunday after serving different terms in different jails in Myanmar.

Some 123 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Force (BGP) and army who fled to Bangladesh from Rakhine state will return to their homeland.

On Sunday, Bangladeshis will arrive at Nuniarchara Ghat in Cox's Bazar. Later, 123 Myanmar Army and Border Guard Police (BGP) will return to Myanmar from this jetty.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin confirmed this.

He said: “85 Bangladeshis imprisoned in Myanmar jails will return to Bangladesh after completing their sentences. At the same time, 123 BGP and army members will return to Myanmar, including 8 army members and 115 BGP members.”

The deputy commissioner informed the media that all these activities are managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, coordination is being done collaboratively and socially involving the district administration, BGB, Coast Guard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Myanmar authorities. A similar process has occurred several times before.

Among the 85 Bangladeshis, 26 were in Mawlamyine jail, 16 in Pathein jail, three in Chakmaur jail, and the rest in various jails in Rakhine. Most returnees are from Cox's Bazar, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi districts, and the rest are from Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, and Dhaka districts.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Teknaf-2 Battalion Commander Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed said: “During the conflict in Rakhine, 123 BGP members, along with some soldiers, crossed the Naf river and sought refuge in Bangladesh at various points. They will be sent back on Sunday.”

On February 15, 330 BGP, army, and customs officers and their family members who fled to Bangladesh were sent back from the Inani Navy jetty.

On April 25, 288 army and BGP members were sent back from the BIWTA jetty in Nuniar Chhara, Cox's Bazar, and 173 Bangladeshi citizens returned to Bangladesh.

On June 8, 134 BGP and army members returned to Myanmar from the same jetty, and 45 Bangladeshi citizens returned from Myanmar.