Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday directed the all authorities concerned to work in a coordinated manner while dealing with the Myanmar refugees staying in Bangladesh.
She asked the Cabinet Secretary to work on it in consultation with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) so that the entire relief operation and Myanmar refugee management could be handled in a planned manner, reports UNB.
The Prime Minister gave the directives while exchanging views with public representatives, civil and military officials and local leaders of Cox's Bazar at the district circuit house.
Referring to various mega projects taken in Cox's Bazart, Sheikh Hasina said the security of foreign investors is a very important issue and the government must ensure it.
The Prime Minister directed the Army to strengthen its patrol and monitoring in the region alongside other organisations like BGB, RAB, Police and Coast Guard so that no one can engage in any terrorist acts.
She also asked them to remain alert to face any critical situation saying there is nothing to fear.
About the ongoing registration process of the Myanmar refugees, Hasina instructed the authorities concerned to prepare ID cards for the refugees giving their names, identities and other particulars.
The Prime Minister said many local and international organisations like WFP, ICRC, UNHCR and IOM are working on refugee issue along with local administration and there has to be coordination in their works.
Putting emphasis on internationally working on the issue of Myanmar refugee, Hasina said the Myanmar government must take back its nationals from Bangladesh.
“It can’t be accepted that the Myanmar government will drive away the Rakhaine people from their houses to Bangladesh as they had been living in Myanmar for hundreds of years,” she said.
The Prime Minister also directed the leaders of Cox's Bazar district Awami League to form committees to smoothly distribute relief materials among the refugees.
Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Minister for Relief and Disaster Management Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Chief Whip ASM Firoz and Deputy Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury were present.
