379 Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char Thursday

A total of 379 Rohingyas reached their destined settlement in Noakhali’s Bhasan Char on Thursday as the relocation of the refugees got underway.

Under the supervision of the Bangladesh Navy, the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals embarked on two ships for their new destination on Thursday morning from boat club jetties in the port city, according to the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC).

Rear Admiral Mozammel Haque, Chattogram Region Commander of the Bangladesh Navy, said there had been rumour about Bhasan Char, but now the Rohingyas are voluntarily going to the new settlement as the government has taken steps to provide them with all possible basic needs.

Confidence has grown among the Rohingyas after various international organisations including the United Nations and UNHCR visited the island, and now they are interested in going there, he added.

During this time, the officials of Bangladesh Navy and other departments supervised the refugees while they were boarding the ships. At around 3pm, ships carrying Rohingyas and their belongings got to Bhasan Char.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Rohingyas were brought to Ukhiya Degree College before their departure.

Mohammad Shamsudoza, additional refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner RRRC, said the Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char without any hindrance and were taken to designated houses there.