DHAKA, Feb 11, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the
Malaysia-bound trawler that capsized near the Saint Martin’s island in the
Bay was carrying Rohingyas living outside the camps and they were trying to
move away illegally.
The foreign minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters
after attending a programme of World University of Bangladesh at the National
Museum here today.
Momen also stressed on beefing up security in and around Cox’s Bazar
Rohingya camps to prevent any sorts of illegal migration.
At least 15 Rohingya people, including women and children, died and 72
others were rescued when a trawler capsized in the Bay near the Saint
Martin’s island this morning.
Replying to a query regarding evacuation of Bangladeshis from Chine, the
foreign minister said the government will not arrange the return of more
Bangladeshi nationals from China amid the ‘coronavirus outbreak’ that claimed
more than 1,000 lives.
He, however, said the government will assist those, who are willing to come
back on their own.
He said some countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States,
Japan, India and Singapore, evacuated their nationals from China while
nationals of other countries are still residing in China. The China is taking
care of it, he added.
Asked about Saudi Arabia’s move to repatriate 42,000 Rohingyas to
Bangladesh as reported in the media, the foreign minister said he has no
information about it.