Students were on a fourth day of protests, obstructing the road and vandalising vehicles after the deaths of two students in an accident
Bangladesh seeks diplomatic solution, not military: Information minister on refugee crisis
Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu has said Bangladesh believes in diplomatic ways, not military might, to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis, and blamed Myanmar for provocations to create tensions.
Published : 18 Sept 2017, 09:34 AM
Updated : 18 Sept 2017, 11:28 AM
"The Rohingya issue is an ethnic one, not religious. The only solution to the crisis is ensuring safe passage for the refugees to their homeland and rehabilitating them in their country with dignity," Inu told the media in Dhaka on Monday.
There's no alternative to establishing peace and stability in Myanmar to make that happen, he added. "Bangladesh does not believe in a military solution, but a diplomatic one."
Bangladesh allowed Rohingyas to enter on humanitarian grounds, says Minister Inu.
Since late August, more than 400,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border into neighbouring Bangladesh as the army continues its crackdown on the insurgents, who attacked 30 police outposts and an army base in northwestern Rakhine state.
The UN has branded the military offensive as ethnic cleansing while the army chief said Rohingya was never an ethnic group in Myanmar and urged citizens and media to unite over the 'Bengali issue.'
A Rohingya refugee walks past a makeshift camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 17, 2017. Reuters
Bangladesh has accused Myanmar of repeatedly violating its air space and warned that any more "provocative acts" could have "unwarranted consequences".
Information Minister Inu said Bangladesh had the option of sealing off the border to avert the crisis. “But the government allowed them in -- on humanitarian grounds."
UN agencies fear that the total number of refugees may reach one million by the year-end if the situation remains unchanged in Myanmar.
Bangladesh was already home to almost half a million Rohingyas before the latest crisis erupted on Aug 25, when Rohingya insurgents launched attacks killing a dozen people.
More on Rohingya crisis
RELATED STORIES
Classes were closed from Apr 21 – Apr 27 due to the searing heat
Stopping all forms of aggression and atrocities are preconditions for sustainable development, Hasina said
The incident occurred around 11:30pm on Wednesday
