Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said the process of sending back the Myanmarese security forces who took shelter in Bangladesh is underway following discussion between the two countries.
He said it wasn't just the members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) and army who have fled to Bangladesh, there were some civilians too. And over a hundred people have also entered India.
"They also took them back (from India). Several members of their families along with their border forces and army have also fled from Myanmar to our country. Our Ambassador had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar. Myanmar agreed to take them back," said the Foreign Minister.
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists regarding Myanmar at the opening ceremony of the multi-cultural festival organized by the lical administration at the DC Park in the evening.
Regarding BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi's statement, Joint General Secretary of Awami League said, "We do not have the power to control Myanmar's internal issues. What is happening is Myanmar's internal turmoil. There is a conflict between the Arakan forces and the Myanmar government forces. And because of that conflict, sometimes bullets or mortar shells have come to our country. And two people died. Recently, the Ambassador of Myanmar was summoned to lodge Bangladesh's strong protest against all these incidents."
Regarding the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, Foreign Minister Hasan said he has already visited various countries including India where flagged the issue.
"I have discussed with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. I met the Myanmar Foreign Minister at the NAM Summit, where I told him to at least start the repatriation. What I felt that the Myanmar government is willing to begin the repatriation. But due to their current internal crises, they are unable to do so at the moment," Hasan said.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that the government is working to send back all the displaced people of Myanmar, now in Bangladesh, with dignity and rights. "This is the only solution and we are working towards that solution."
BNP's Politics
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said BNP's presence these days in politics is confined two or three leaders who speak on television. "Only they are there, otherwise BNP has no existence anywhere else.
"They try to mislead people by saying all these things. Many people die in prison which are natural death. Many of our party also died in prison in the past. There is no scope to create confusion by saying all these things," Hasan added.
He said actually BNP has no politics now. Their leaders are now questioned by the party workers because of the huge mistake they made by not participating in the elections, which was their suicidal decision.
"Their party workers are now deeply frustrated. They are trying to prove that they are still alive by making various speeches and planning various programs to overcome that disappointment," said the AL leader.
Philippine Ambassador Leo Tito Ausan Jr., FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Indian Assistant High Commissioner Dr. Rajeev Ranjan also joined the event.
The Foreign Minister appreciated this initiative to highlight the culture of different countries during the month-long flower festival that started there from February 1.
Ctg to Have Bay-Termina
Regarding the development of Chattogram, Hasan said that the government led by Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken many projects for the development of Chattogram in the last 15 years.
The first tunnel under the river Karnaphuli and Bay-Terminal is going to be built here.
"If it is built it will be another Chattogram port. The first phase will be completed within the next three years. The economic activity will increase here after that. It's beyond imagination," he said.