Special envoy from Myanmar to visit Bangladesh today, may discuss Rohingya influx

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Jan. 10 (ANI): A special envoy from Myanmar is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday for a three day visit with speculations that the Rohingya influx may be discussed. Although there has been no clear message from Myanmar on the purpose of the visit, Foreign Ministry officials apprehended that the Rohingya influx which began about three months ago may be discussed in the meetings, reports the Dhaka Tribune. During the visit, Myanmar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque. The Rohingya exodus from Northern Rakhine began after the Myanmar army launched clearance operations in the area, as part of search efforts to locate the insurgents behind deadly raids on police border posts on October 10. According to a United Nation's report, at least 65,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, a third of them over the past week, since the army launched the crackdown. Officials said that Bangladesh would speak frankly and openly with the envoy to resolve the issue should it come up in the agenda. In a diplomatic memorandum handed to Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka Myo Myint on December 29, Bangladesh demanded for repatriation of around 50,000 Myanmar citizens who are currently staying in the country, since October 9. The presence of undocumented Myanmar nationals has long been a sticking point between the two countries, with Bangladesh having repeatedly asked for repatriation of around 300,000 that have been living here illegally, in addition to 33,000 registered refugees from Myanmar. (ANI)