Teknaf, Bangladesh: Eight Rohingyas, including women were detained by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) from border areas and were pushed back to Burma yesterday at about 3 pm, according to our correspondent.  

Yesterday, eight Rohingyas were pushed back to Burma by the BDR from Nattaung Para of Teknaf union border point. Six Rohingyas were arrested from Nattaung Para and two were arrested from Nila border area, he added.  

The arrested Rohingyas crossed the Burma-Bangladesh border yesterday along the Naf River by row boat to visit their relatives who have been living in the refugee camps in Nayapara and Kutupalong, one of the relatives of the detained said.

The arrested were identified as Abdul Kayum  (45),  Abdul Aziz (25),  Md. Noor (30), Md. Esuf Ali (32), Ms Jano Begum (50), Ms Lila Begum (45), Ms Bodo Begum (40), and Ms Golsoma  Begum (35). Yesterday, at about 3 pm, they were pushed back to Burma from Nattaung Para point by the BDR.  

Earlier, in September and November, the police and BDR arrested some of the Rohingyas living in Bandarban district area for a long time. The BDR took them to the Bangladesh-Burma border in vehicles and set them free on the zero line. Some Rohingyas re-entered Bangladesh and some were arrested by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) and the Burmese Army. Those arrested by Nasaka or army have been sent to jails in Burma.

The Bangladesh government has stepped up pushing back Rohingya people to Burma to stop infiltration. But, Rohingya people keep coming even though the authorities have been monitoring the border areas and are on red alert. Rohingya people are a burden for the Bangladesh government, said a businessman in Teknaf.  

Bangladesh says it is unable to handle the unabated influx of Rohingyas and the spreading of the unofficial camp has given rise to tension locally.