More than 400 Hindus in relief camps in Bangladesh subjected to threats, demands immediate return to native

More than 400 Hindus in relief camps in Bangladesh subjected to threats, demands immediate return to native
A wish ceremony by Hindus is in progress on September 18. (Photo-Kyi Naing)
A wish ceremony by Hindus is in progress on September 18. (Photo-Kyi Naing)
Published 20 September 2019
Kyi Naing

More than 400 Hindus arriving at the relief camps in Bangladesh have been subjected to threats and they demanded an immediate return to their native.

The remarks came from Yar Gu Nay Myint, in-charge of Rakhine State Hindu Aid Association (Yangon)  who mentioned at the second anniversary of wish ceremony to commemorate Hindus who were murdered by ARSA two years ago on September 18.

ARSA terrorists launched well-organized attacks on police outposts in Maungdaw, northern Rakhine State in August in 2017 and also committed a mass murder of Hindus in Yebawkya village in Maungdaw. Some Hindus fled the attacks and murders of the ARSA and some were arrested by the ARSA terrorists.

"It is not easy to voice the situations in the relief camps. We really have wanted to return home for more than one year and wait by preparing our luggage. Dr Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, constantly discussed the foreign minister of the other country. The ambassador was called and discussed during the previous week. The Bangladesh side did not come to us and ask whether we wanted to return. They did nothing about us," said Yar Gu Nay Myint.

There are hundreds of thousands of Bengalis arriving in Bangladesh. More than 400 Hindus are living in panic and they can't speak in Myanmar and English, said Yar Gu Nay Myint.

"Our Hindus want to return. Please help Hindus return. Please send Hindus back in the first batch in August. Hindus in the relief camps say nothing. But they voice that they would like the authorities to send them back immediately. They said they dare not stay and they are afraid of living and they are subjected to threats," said Yar Gu Nay Myint.

Yar Gu Nay Myint tried to get telephone contacts while accompanying the governmental officials visiting the relief camps in Bangladesh during August. He asked Hindus about the situation of threats and obstacles to living in the relief camps as well as discussing with the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh.

Both countries agreed on the repatriation process and arranged to send back those returnees for the first batch, but no one returned. Next, Bangladesh announced that anyone is allowed returning regardless of race and religion.

"Those who don't want to return have the right. They can stay here and it is their right. Those who want to return are allowed returning and they have also right," said Yar Gu Nay Myint.

He added that the ARSA terrorists murdered and persecuted  Hindus. The international community is turning a blind eye to truth and justice for Hindus.

  Translated and Edited by Win Htut