Dhaka: Burmese prisoners account for 666 inmates among 1,048 foreign nationals languishing in several prisons in Bangladesh, Sahara Khatun Bangladesh Home Minister told Parliament on Monday.

Among the foreign inmates, 666 are Burmese, 349 are Indians, 21 are Pakistanis, six are Nepalis, three are Tanzanians, and three are from Japan, Malaysia, and Hungary. The figures include all prisoners, who have either been convicted or are awaiting trial, the minister said.

Local Burmese sources said most of the Burmese prisoners in Bangladesh have been languishing in prison for many years as they have been unable to return to Burma after serving their jail terms.

Burma's immigration officials have refused to accept Burmese prisoners in Bangladesh, who have no permanent address in Burma or solid documents to prove their status as Burmese citizens.

Most Burmese prisoners were arrested by Bangladesh authorities for entering Bangladesh without documentation.