150 trafficking victims handed over to BGB

Family reunion likely today  

The 150 victims of human traffickers, who made their way back home on Monday, may be sent to their friends or relatives today, said Cox’s Bazar police officers. The Myanmar Border Guard Police handed the 150 to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) two days ago. They entered Bangladesh through the Ghumdhum point. They were first taken to the Ghumdhum High School by six buses. Later, BGB officials handed them over to Cox's Bazar superintendent of police Shyamal Kumar Nath in the presence of Md Ali Hossain, deputy commissioner, Cox's Bazar.
The 150 had to face day-long interrogation by law enforcement personnel and government agencies for identification. The victims are now being kept at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Centre. Talking to The Independent, Tofael Ahmed, additional SP, Cox’s Bazar, said they cannot hand over the victims to their friends or relatives without clearance from the higher authorities. When asked whether they have identified any Rohingya of Myanmarese among the victims, Tofael said no such person has been identified so far.
A section of the electronic media had yesterday broadcast that two Rohingyas were identified among the 150. Brushing aside the news, Tofael said both were Bangladeshis. The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) is providing aid to the victims.
Asif Munir, national programme officer, IOM, said his organisation is providing the victims with food and medicine. “The IOM will also help in their rehabilitation after the government decides their fate,” he said.

 

150 trafficking victims handed over to BGB

Family reunion likely today

The 150 victims of human traffickers, who made their way back home on Monday, may be sent to their friends or relatives today, said Coxs Bazar police officers. The Myanmar Border Guard Police handed the 150 to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) two days ago. They entered Bangladesh through the Ghumdhum point. They were first taken to the Ghumdhum High School by six buses. Later, BGB officials handed them over to Coxs Bazar superintendent of police Shyamal Kumar Nath in the presence of Md Ali Hossain, deputy commissioner, Coxs Bazar. The 150 had to face day-long interrogation by law enforcement personnel and government agencies for identification. The victims are now being kept at the Coxs Bazar Cultural Centre. Talking to The Independent, Tofael Ahmed, additional SP, Coxs Bazar, said they cannot hand over the victims to their friends or relatives without clearance from the higher authorities. When asked whether they have identified any Rohingya of Myanmarese among the victims, Tofael said no such person has been identified so far. A section of the electronic media had yesterday broadcast that two Rohingyas were identified among the 150. Brushing aside the news, Tofael said both were Bangladeshis. The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) is providing aid to the victims. Asif Munir, national programme officer, IOM, said his organisation is providing the victims with food and medicine. The IOM will also help in their rehabilitation after the government decides their fate, he said.