Bangladesh and Myanmar has finalised the physical arrangement of the repatriation of the persecuted Rohingyas, who had to cross into Cox’s Bazar to escape from the unprecedented atrocities orchestrated by the Myanmar security forces, local Buddhist mobs and people belonging to other ethnic groups in Rakhine since October, 2016. The arrangement was finalised yesterday morning after 13 hours of constant discussions from Monday by the Bangladesh-Myanmar joint working group (JWG) in Naypyitaw, said meeting sources.

This process will cover more than 6.55 lakh Rohingyas, who have arrived since August 25, last year and over 80,000 people who fled their homeland to escape the brutalities after October, 2016.

The process of repatriation will be completed within two years of the beginning date of which is yet to be known.

Nothing will be done now about the return of estimated 3.5 to 4 lakh Rohingyas, who have been living in the country for decades.

Despite the finalisation of the physical arrangement, government officials and diplomats are still doubtful about the success of the repatriation.

Given the past record of broken promises of Myanmar, they observed nothing can be said before the things are done.

“Look, if the past is any guide, we don’t have a good experience when it comes to the pledges made by our second neighbour,” a top government official told The Independent yesterday.

“Rohingyas are still coming as we speak,” he said.

“Seeing is believing. I will wait till the commencement of the repatriation and wait till the end,” said a senior diplomat.

“The first meeting of the joint working group (JWG) on the return of the displaced Rohingyas from Rakhine State,

was held on January 15-16 in Nay Pyi Taw,” a foreign ministry press release said yesterday.

The foreign secretary, Shahidul Haque, led the Bangladesh delegation while permanent secretary of the Myanmar foreign ministry Myint Thu led the Myanmar side.

“The two sides, in an atmosphere of cordiality discussed and finalised the text of the physical arrangement which will facilitate return of Rohingyas from Bangladesh, guided by the earlier understanding and principles of the “Arrangement on return of displaced person from Rakhine State” and the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the JWG,” said the release.

The physical arrangement stipulates that the repatriation would be completed preferably within 2 (two) years from the commencement of repatriation, it said, adding that verification and return will be based on considering the family as a unit.

“The meeting also finalised the ‘Form’ for verification. Modalities for repatriation of orphans and children born out of unwarranted incidence have been incorporated in the said arrangement,” said the release.

“Under the physical arrangement Bangladesh would establish 5 (five) transit camps from which returnees would be received initially in 2 (two) reception centres on Myanmar side,” it said adding that Myanmar would shelter the returnees in a temporary accommodation at the Hla Pho Khung and expeditiously rebuild the houses for the returnees to move in there.

Myanmar would consider resettling the people staying at the zero line on a priority basis and has reiterated its commitment to stop outflow of Myanmar residents to Bangladesh, the release said.

“Both countries agreed to form 2 two technical working groups, one on verification and the other on return. The physical arrangement has included modalities of the relevant aspects of the return,” it concluded. The press release, however, did not mention as to when the repatriation will begin, whether United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will be involved and if any bilateral instrument was signed in this regard.

According to the deal signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar in Naypyitaw on November 23 last year, the repatriation should begin within two months of the signing.

And, as per the terms of reference of the JWG formed in Dhaka on December 19, last year, the JWG will take assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation.

“We have successfully finalised the physical arrangement for the repatriation of Rohingyas. A form for the returnees has also been finalised,” foreign secretary Haque said.

The arrangement covers all the areas including the number of people to be repatriated and the involvement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he said.

Another important aspect that is covered by the arrangement is the livelihood of the Rogingyas after being repatriated, he added.

The foreign secretary described the arrangement as balanced and said that if two sides work sincerely it will be possible to begin repatriation in a sustainable manner.

According to a meeting source, the JWG will review the progress of the repatriation process from time to time. The two sides agreed to begin the repatriation with the Rohingyas now at the zero point aiming to complete the process quickly.

Another meeting source said Bangladesh put forward a proposal to send 15,000 Rohingyas every week while Myanmar talked about taking 1,500 every week except Saturdays and Sundays. A middle way was adopted in the meeting. As per the agreed formula, 300 to 500 Rohingyas will be repatriated every day.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam told reporters yesterday that the government is always optimistic. At the same time, he said that having some kind of fear is not baseless as the problem is very complicated.

“We are always optimistic. But, there may be apprehension. It is not unfounded because the problem is complex. We are moving forward cautiously with the guidelines of the prime minister,” said the state minister. To a question, he hinted that the two-month deadline set in the deal is going to be missed and the repatriation might begin in January end or early February.

He also said that there should not be any problem with regard to verification and identification as the Rohingyas have been biometrically registered and those without papers will be eligible for repatriation if they can tell the names of their villages.

Shahriar Alam also said that it will take some time as it will not be possible to send them back in the manner they came.

The sending of 40,000 orphans will be time consuming, he said.