More than 400 Muslims, who were released from variousprisons in Myanmar under anamnesty of the military junta, are being resettled in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships  in northern RakhineState.

According to a source in the Maungdaw immigration office, 440 people (361 people from Maungdaw and79  from Buthidaung) were transported from Sittwe to Buthidaung bythe junta authorities on 25September through Aungtakkhong and Shwepyitonferry ships.

Among them there are 264 male and  97 female, who are accommodated in  Maungdaw.

"They were originally from Maungdaw and fled to Bangladesh. The junta authorities are sending them to theirrelatives' houses. I saw two carsgoing towards Shweza village in the north of Maungdaw. One car went to Auk Ywa (Fay Zi) village and two others lefttowards Kanyin Tan. Altogetherseven cars were used in the process," he added.

Total 70 men and  9 women  are scheduled to be resettled inButhidaung township. An employeeof the immigration department in Buthidaung also confirmed that such an initiative was taken.

"Once they arrive in Maungdaw and Buthidaung, they were checked at respective township immigration offices and then they were transported to their residencesby the vehicles.

The people were sent back to  their respective villages under the arrangement of army, police,immigration and general administration.

Nearly 440 Muslims, who have been released recently, were arrested from several locations of Myanmar asthey tried to move to Malaysia illegally.

On 1 August,  111 Bangladeshi citizens were also released from various prisons by the  military council.

Rakhine State military council announced on 7 August that those 111 Bangladeshi citizens (including 3women) will be transferred to their countryunder an agreement of two neighbouring countries. For some days, they will be temporarily detainedin Buthidaung prison.

On the full moon day (1August), the junta released  7749 prisoners from  various prisons. In April2020, during the tenure of  National League for Democracy (NLD) government, 800 Muslims  werereleased to commemorate the NewYear. Nearly 600 of them were sent to Rakhine State and the remaining  were sent back to Bangladesh.

-----