Yangon: Twenty Bangladeshi nationals, who had been detained in Myanmar for several months, departed from MITT Port in Yangon today, headed for Chattogram aboard a Bangladeshi naval ship. Myanmar law enforcement captured these individuals for illegal entry while they were being trafficked to Malaysia by unscrupulous agents, as stated in a press release from the foreign ministry.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar organized the repatriation following negotiations with Myanmar authorities and verification of the individuals’ Bangladeshi nationality. The same naval ship also carried a 55-member Search and Rescue (SAR) and Medical team from Bangladesh, who had provided humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Myanmar for ten days.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar, Dr. M Monwar Hossain, was present at the port during the handing over of the 20 Bangladeshi youths. Hossain commended the SAR team for enhancing Bangladesh’s image in Myanmar through their work. He also advised citizens to be cautious when seeking employment abroad and to avoid dubious job offers.
Over the past two years, the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar has facilitated the repatriation of 352 Bangladeshi nationals. The most recent repatriation before today’s event occurred on September 28 last year, when 85 Bangladeshis returned home. Embassy officers were present at the port to coordinate with Myanmar authorities, verify identities, and issue travel permits for the returnees.
The Bangladesh Navy Ship BNS Somudra Avijan, which had arrived in Yangon on Friday with 120 metric tons of humanitarian aid for Myanmar’s earthquake victims, is expected to reach Chattogram by Tuesday afternoon.