Rohingya who fled after riots struck off list

More than 1,000 Rohingya, suspected of involvement in the Rakhine conflict, fled to Bangladesh, which shares a border with Myanmar. These people have not returned yet. “Myanmar authorities are keeping a close watch for their return. We have kept photo records of their attempts to commit crime. Now their household lists have been cancelled. If they return to Myanmar, they will be arrested under the criminal law and immigration act,” Colonel Aung Naing Oo, head of Border Areas Immigration Supervisory Headquarters, said.

Every year, about 50 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh settle in Maungdaw [Myanmar] and action is being taken against the illegal immigrants under the immigration act.

Colonel Aung Naing Oo added that security guards, village administrators, crime prevention teams and auxiliary fire brigade teams had been assigned duties in the respective immigration supervisory camps. If a stranger was spotted, they knew who it was. If someone from Bangladesh enters Myanmar, they report to us, leading to an arrest.

“People here do not want them migrating to Myanmar. They’re afraid of facing difficulties if further illegal immigrants come into the country. We have facts and data of each household. White cards were also issued in the 2010 elections. Border security guards are always keeping a close watch on illegal immigration,” the head of the immigration supervisory headquarters said.

The authorities arrested eight Bangladeshi fishermen who had illegally migrated to Myanmar while three others were found on the Myanmar seashore, bringing the total to 11 Bangladeshis this year.

Those who returned to Myanmar after fleeing to Bangladesh were arrested under the immigration act.