COX’S BAZAR: Myanmar government will take the 727 boat migrants to Maungdaw district of the country saying it will not push them back to Bangladesh.

Acting commander of Teknaf BGB-42 Major Abu Rasel Siddique told banglanews that the Myanmar government sent a letter to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) which stated that the rescued migrants will be taken to Maungdaw district with two trawlers under Myanmar Navy security on Wednesday.

Earlier Myanmar’s information minister Ye Htut commented that the navy was taking the converted fishing boat to the waters of neighboring Bangladesh.

Later, he amended his statement and said the migrants were headed to an undisclosed but safe area and had been provided with food and water.

However, Ye Htut said he would not disclose that location due to “security and safety concerns”.

Bangladesh government has also taken proper measures to restrict the entry of the migrants if Myanmar tried to push back the victims. The attempt to push back them will be stopped at any cost, Major Abu Rasel said.

He also said that the government issued a letter to the Myanmar authorities seeking a list of rescued migrants, but they did not send it. So, the delegation did not go Myanmar.

The Myanmar government is playing hide and seek about the matter, the acting commander added.

** Myanmar pushes back 727 migrants to Bangladesh

BDST: 1636 HRS, JUNE 02, 2015
BD/AKA/SMS