Bangladesh has taken initiatives to bring back 159 more nationals from Myanmar, caught when illegally trying to migrate to other South Asian countries on boats, bdnews24.com reported on 9 August.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will meet officials of Myanmar’s Immigration and National Registry Department on Monday morning.
Thousands of illegal migrants landed in Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Bangladesh since Thailand launched a crackdown on human traffickers earlier this year. Myanmar rescued 208 such illegal immigrants from its shores on May 21 following another 727 on May 29. Bangladesh has brought back 342 of its nationals in three phases.
BGB officials said they have taken initiatives to take back another 159 on Monday. Two scheduled flag meetings were postponed on July 30 and Aug 5 due to bad weather.
Asif Muneer, national programme officer of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said they have completed preparations for bringing them back.
The IOM will provide food, treatment, commuting costs, and all humanitarian support to them until they reach their homes, he added.