Heads and diplomats of embassies of ASEAN countries and the representatives from the UNDP and the UNHCR met the displaced persons who had re-entered Myanmar, the Ministry of Information reported on September 11.

The delegation comprising the heads and diplomats of embassies of nine ASEAN countries and neighbouring countries China, India and Bangladesh and the representatives of the UNDP and the UNHCR led by Deputy Minister Khin Maung Tin of the Ministry of State Counsellor Office left for Rakhine State by flight on September 10.

Next, the delegation members met 11 Hindus who recently re-entered Myanmar at the guesthouse of Sittwe State on September 10. The heads and diplomats of embassies of nine ASEAN countries and neighbouring countries China, India and Bangladesh and the representatives of the UNDP and the UNHCR asked 11 Hindus questions. Replying to the questions raised by delegation members, 11 Hindus said that their family members were lost during the attack of ARSA terrorists in August in 2017; they said they were fetched to Bangladesh; they said Myanmar government brought them back for the information of Indian government and a religious leader of Hinduism in Rakhine State; they said they were threatened by the ARSA to murder; they said they were safe in living after returning Myanmar; they said they would like to settle and have livelihoods in Maungdaw; and they said they were holding NVCs, according to the report of the Ministry of Information.

Similarly, Deputy Minister Khin Maung Tin said houses were built for the displaced persons in Maungdaw in cooperation with the government and companies. There was a plan to relocate them in Maungdaw soon. Livelihoods would be created to the displaced persons. Negotiation would be conducted with the authorities to acquire NVCs, according to the report of the ministry.

Moreover, the delegation members comprising foreign diplomats met 10 Muslims who had returned Myanmar of their own volition at the guesthouse of Rakhine State on September 11. They asked 10 Muslims questions. Replying to the questions asked by the foreign diplomats, they said they were threatened by ARSA at the relief camp in Bangladesh. They knew the cruelty of the ARSA. They returned Myanmar of their own volition because they faced general difficulties. Myanmar government scrutinized them whether they ever lived in Myanmar and they were involved in terrorist movements. Those going on staying in the relief camps in the other country had been subjected to the threats by the ARSA.  They couldn’t go back home yet because of the threats by the ARSA. Their families and relatives living in the relief camps in the other country wanted to  return home, but they couldn’t because the ARSA threatened and influenced them. They explained measures to get and hold NVC. Discussions took place to create livelihoods for the returnees. 

Next, the minister of state security and border affairs clarified the return of six family members out of more than 20,000 displaced persons who would like to go back according to the bilateral agreement of Myanmar and Bangladesh  through Taungphyo Letwel camp  on September 11. Basic needs were provided to the returnees. Following the temporary resettlement, the returnees would be relocated at the nearest to the former place where they lived. 

Translated and Edited by Win Htut