Bangladesh Push Back Rohingya Refugees to Arakan

In Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, more than 500 Rohingya refugees who had fled the ongoing conflict were forcibly returned by Bangladeshi authorities over the course of two days. The refugees had initially fled from Maungdaw and landed on the shores of Bangladesh to escape the violence.

On the night of September 7, around 300 Rohingya refugees were apprehended by Bangladeshi authorities and sent back. They were reportedly left near Fezi village, an area with no military presence from the Maungdaw administration. The following night, September 8, an additional 200 refugees were similarly returned and dropped off at the banks of the Pyin Phyu River in Maungdaw Township.

Family members of those who were sent back on September 7 have raised concerns, as they have had no communication since the group was left near Fezi village. Due to restrictions imposed by Bangladeshi authorities, family members are unable to visit the area.

Some relatives have reportedly paid large sums of money in attempts to reach their loved ones, but many remain unaccounted for. One family reported that the group repatriated on the first night was left near the Naf River, west of Fezi village, with no further information available on their condition. The group sent back on the second night was dropped near Pyin Phyu River.

The situation in Maungdaw remains precarious, with only one remaining Border Guard Police unit present in the area. Reports indicate that the Arakan Army (AA) has been attacking the region, adding to the instability faced by those forcibly returned.

Rohingya Vision News