Bangladesh Turns Away Rohingyas Fleeing Burma

12 June 2012

Bangladesh on Monday turned back eight boats carrying more than 300 Rohingya Muslims fleeing religious violence in Burma. According to a report by AFP, Bangladesh coastguard patrol teams intercepted the boats on the Naf River. “They were carrying mainly Rohingya women and children, many of whom were crying and looked extremely anxious,” said Maj Shafiqur Rahman of Border Guard Bangladesh, adding that all eight boats had been pushed back to Burma. Bangladesh has stepped up security along its 200-km border with Burma in the wake of recent violence in Arakan State.