Chittagong, Bangladesh: Thein Sein, the President of Burma, has cancelled his visit scheduled to Bangladesh on July 15 because of sectarian violence in Arakan State, Burma, an official in Dhaka said.
“We have been informed, the postponement of the Myanmar President’s scheduled visit to Bangladesh,” according to Golam Sarwar, the head of Southeast Asia desk at the foreign ministry.”
“The emergency rule had been imposed in the reclusive country in the wake of recent ethnic violence and floods,” another ministry official, seeking anonymity.
The official hinted, President Thein Sein visit might take place sometime after the Ramadan-the fasting month of Islam – that starts in the third week of this month.
Over 80 people were killed when a riot between Buddhist Rakhains and Muslim Rohingyas took place at Myanmar’s Rakhain state on Jun 8. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel prevented Rohingyas fleeing from the riot and entering Bangladesh, according to official.
But, near 1000 Rohingyas have been killed in the sectarian violence, at least 40000 are missing, 22 villages have been burned down, more than 120 females were rape and 14 mosques destroyed, according to sources.
However, Bangladesh already burdened with around 500,000 Rohingya refugees, refused to accept new refugees despite calls by the United Nations and other human rights organizations..
The officials at the ministry said the two countries are likely to discuss execution of deals, trade, Rohingya issue, air transport and other issues during the visit of the Burma president.
A Foreign Secretary-level meeting between the two countries started on Sunday morning. Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes led a nine-strong Bangladesh delegation while Burma’s Deputy Foreign Minister U Mong Mint led the Burmese delegation.
Source By KPN
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