Over 100 Bengalis from Sittwe arrested in Yangon as they tried to go to Thailand by boat

Over 100 Bengalis from Sittwe arrested in Yangon as they tried to go to Thailand by boat
Photo shows over 100 Bengalis from Nazi refugee camp in Sittwe, Rakhine State (Photo-Aye Mya Mya Myo Facebook account)
Photo shows over 100 Bengalis from Nazi refugee camp in Sittwe, Rakhine State (Photo-Aye Mya Mya Myo Facebook account)
Published 17 November 2018
Aung Myo Thant

More than 100 Bengalis from Nazi refugee camp in Sittwe, Rakhine State, were arrested in Kyauktan Townshp, Yangon Region, as they went to Thailand in a boat, said Lower House MP Aye Mya Mya Myo for the township constituency.

"A local resident spotted them and informed the administrator about that. The administrator informed the police about it. At about 5 pm at the cyclone shelter in Thante Village, an immigration officer questioned them. As far as I know there are over 100 Bengalis fleeing from a refugee camp," said the MP.

A marine worker spotted a boat carrying over 100 Bengalis on the shore at the mouth of Yangon River near Thante Village, Kalatan Village-tract, Kyauktan Township, at about 4 am.

According to police records after investigation, the boat carrying the Bengalis left Nazi refugee camp in Sittwe for Thailand about 25 days ago.

Six days later, the boat was confronted by naval troops who told them to return home. Another seven days later, naval troops saw them again and asked again them to go back. Three days ago for the third time, they were seen by naval troops and asked to go back. Returning home, the boat was drifted into a wrong way and found by authorities in Kyauktan Township.

On board the boat were 102 Bengalis—50 men, 32 women and 20 children.

"A about 4 am, a marine worker spotted them. After 6 am, the Kyauktan Township administrator, township immigration officer and chief of the township police force are investigating the case. 102 Bengalis were arrested as they tried to go from Sittwe to Thailand," said an officer from South District Police Force.

Few of the Bengalis can speak Myanmar but a little.