The Daily Star
Bss, Dhaka
December 29, 2020
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday called upon the international community to take more effective strategies for mounting pressure on Myanmar to take back its Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh.
Quader, also general secretary of Awami League, said this at a regular press conference at his official residence on parliament premises in the capital.
He said since the outset of Rohingya crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been continuing diplomatic efforts seeking cooperation from the international community for a peaceful solution to the problem.
The economy and environment of Bangladesh have been affected badly for hosting around 12 lakh Rohingyas who took shelter at Ukhia and Teknaf, he added.
The minister said social environment and ecological balance of the areas are now at stake due to excessive number of people living there. It is also putting adverse impacts on the tourism industry centring the world's longest natural sea beach in Cox's Bazar, he said.
Quader said the government took the initiative to shift Rohingyas to Bhashan Char with additional facilities as their repatriation to Myanmar has been delayed.
Under the circumstances, those who have shifted to Bhashan Char expressed their satisfaction, he went on saying. But some international organisations and media is spreading that the Rohingyas were shifted forcibly, which is not true, he added.
The minister said only those who voluntarily wanted to shift were taken there and no pressure was put on them.
Turning to the coronavirus situation, Quader said the government has already taken initiatives to procure vaccines which will reach the country in the last week of January or in February.
He said preparations have been taken for properly handling vaccine procurement and management and the health ministry is working on it.
Though the vaccine is yet to reach the country, a vested quarter started spreading misleading information over it, he continued. The AL general secretary urged people not to be confused by such purpose-oriented propaganda.
About BNP leaders allegation that the government is sacrificing national interests to foreign forces to remain in power, Quader said people actually know who wait at the doors of foreign embassies with flowers and sweets and who seek cooperation from foreign agencies to go to state power.
Under the circumstances, those who have shifted to Bhashan Char expressed their satisfaction, he went on saying. But some international organisations and media is spreading that the Rohingyas were shifted forcibly, which is not true, he added.
The minister said only those who voluntarily wanted to shift were taken there and no pressure was put on them.
Turning to the coronavirus situation, Quader said the government has already taken initiatives to procure vaccines which will reach the country in the last week of January or in February.
He said preparations have been taken for properly handling vaccine procurement and management and the health ministry is working on it.
Though the vaccine is yet to reach the country, a vested quarter started spreading misleading information over it, he continued. The AL general secretary urged people not to be confused by such purpose-oriented propaganda.
About BNP leaders allegation that the government is sacrificing national interests to foreign forces to remain in power, Quader said people actually know who wait at the doors of foreign embassies with flowers and sweets and who seek cooperation from foreign agencies to go to state power.
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