Bangladesh postpones Rohingya refugees return to Myanmar

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Jan.22 (ANI): The Bangladesh government on Monday said that the repatriation of Muslim Rohingya refugees to Myanmar will not take place on Tuesday as earlier planned.

The Daily Star quoted Abul Kalam, Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, as saying that all arrangements were not in place to facilitate the movement of these refugees in a smooth and uninterrupted manner.

Myanmar had earlier this month to receive the Rohingya refugees at two reception centres and a temporary camp near its border with Bangladesh over a two-year period starting Tuesday.

Authorities said repatriations would be voluntary.

No new date has been announced for for the repatriations to begin.

More than 655,500 Muslim Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh after a crackdown by the Myanmar military in northern Rakhine state in response to militant attacks on security forces on August 25.

The United Nations described the military operation as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies.

Myanmar said it is ready to take back the Rohingyas. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI