34 Myanmar citizens, including border guards and army personnel, to be repatriated on Wednesday

A total of 34 Myanmar nationals, including members of the country's Border Guard Police (BGP), military personnel, and civilians, who had fled the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State, will be repatriated on Wednesday (7 May).

Officials from the Cox's Bazar district administration, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and airport authorities confirmed that a special aircraft from Myanmar will arrive at Cox's Bazar airport on Wednesday to take them back.

Speaking to The Business Standard today (5 May), Brigadier General MM Imrul Hasan, commander of the BGB's Cox's Bazar region, said the Myanmar citizens had crossed into Bangladesh through various border points in recent weeks and were held in BGB custody. 

Md Golam Murtuza Hossain, director of Cox's Bazar airport, said due to the airport's lack of international passenger facilities, special arrangements have been made in coordination with relevant authorities to facilitate the repatriation process. 

Immigration procedures will be carried out at the airport before the individuals are flown back to Myanmar, he added.

Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Imran Hossain Sajib said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the local administration to take necessary steps for the repatriation, and preparations are underway accordingly."

This will be the latest in a series of repatriations. Previously, the Myanmar junta had taken back 752 of its nationals who had fled into Bangladesh in three separate phases. 

Additionally, 214 Bangladeshi citizens who had served prison terms in Myanmar were returned earlier.