Arakan News Agency
The government has decided to conduct a census on undocumented Rohingya population in Bangladesh to determine their exact figure and resolve the long-pending issue in a systematic and transparent way stopping their further influx into Bangladesh. Various figures are coming out in various ways on the number of Rohingya people in Bangladesh which is considered as a barrier to resolving the problem. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque discussed the issue with the diplomats of various countries in Bangladesh who have interest about it, said a diplomatic source. International Organization for Migration (IOM) made a presentation at the meeting held at State guesthouse Padma on Monday afternoon. The Foreign Secretary urged the international community not to put pressure on Bangladesh on Rohingya issue, and sought an effective role from them to resolve the issue soon. The Rohingya influx into Bangladesh is not new as the influx has long been going on. According to an unofficial estimate, there are now 3-5 lakh undocumented Rohingya people in Bangladesh. Sources at the Planning Ministry said a project, involving Tk 21.75 crore, was endorsed in May this year to conduct the census with photographs and complete data on Rohingya people. The title of the project is ‘Census of the Undocumented Myanmar Nationals Staying in Bangladesh – CUMNSB 2015 Project.’ In January last, during her visit to Bangladesh, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C Richard said the international community needs to put more pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya issue saying it is Myanmar’s responsibility to take back its nationals, according to a news agency.
