Editorial
On the Last Leg
Much as we greet the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, resumed after 80 days of unilateral stalling by Rangoon, we cannot fail to notice the troubled start it has got off to. Some diffident Rohingyas clashed with the police at the Nayapara camp in Cox's Bazar which, together with Kutapalong camp in the same district, kept sheltering 21625 refugees altogether. With the Myanmar authorities giving entry clearance to 6809 Rohingya refugees in our camps till August we are launched on what we deem to be the last leg of the repatriation process. And should this get hindered by any fault on our side then we would perhaps be left to blame ourselves only. There is little doubt though that some vested quarters are at work, covertly and overtly, to derail the process. One may not also rule out memories of oppression raked in by the mention of the word 'repatriation' to many of the once-bitten-twice-shy refugees. Since altogether 2,29,252 Rohingya refugees have returned to Myanmar to date, and the latest send-off has begun in the wake of a fresh understanding reached with the Rangoon government there should not be any let-up whatsoever in this terminal part of the process. With careful persuasion and effective vigil at the camps we ought to be able to send the remainder of the refugees back to Myanmar in a few months' time.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments