BSS, Dhaka:

A group of 85 Bangladeshi nationals today departed Sitwe Port in Rakhine State of Myanmar to return home.

Myanmar Naval Ship UMS Chin Dwin, carrying the Bangladesh nationals, is expected to arrive in Cox’s Bazar in the early hours of 29 September 2024, said a press release issued by Bangladesh mission in Myanmar.

Myanmar Naval Ship on its return trip will take back the repatriating members of the Myanmar Defence Force who had intruded into Bangladesh during conflict in Rakhine state, it said.

Among the 85 returnees, 26 were detained in Mawlamyine Prison, 16 in Pathein Prison, and three in Kyaikmaraw Prison, with the remaining individuals hailing from Rakhine State.

The majority of the returnees are from Cox’s Bazar, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi districts, while others come from Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Noakhali, and Dhaka.

This repatriation effort is the result of continuous work by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and the Bangladesh Consulate in Sittwe.

Over the past 15 months, these missions have successfully coordinated the return of 332 Bangladeshi nationals from Myanmar.

The previous repatriation took place on June 8, 2024, when 45 Bangladeshis were brought back home.

The Embassy and Consulate collaborated with local authorities to verify the returnees’ identities, issue travel permits, and facilitate their safe return.

This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions to ensuring the welfare of their citizens abroad, the press release said.