Hakikul Islam Khokan:One hundred and seventy-three (173) Bangladeshi Nationals retumed home today (Tuesday, 23 April2024) from Sittwe prison in Rakhine State of Myanmar. The returnees were oMyanmar Naval Ship Chin Dwin’ which is visiting Bangladesh to bring back members of Myanmar defence force who were forced to cross the border into Bangladesh due to conflict in Rakhine state. The ship is expected to reach the Bangladesh territory by tomorrow and handover of the Bangladeshi citizens to the relevant authorities of Bangladesh will take place at that time. Out of the 173 persons 129 are from Cox’s Bazar District, 30 are from Bandarban District, 07 are from Rangamati District, 01 each from Khagrachari District, Noakhali District, Narayanganj District, Chattogram District, Rajbari District, Narshingdi District and Nilphamari District. carried by the It may be mentioned that Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon, upon receipt of the information of the tentative visit of the Myanmar ship to Bangladesh, took up the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh and relevant Myanmar authorities to seize the opportunity to send back the maximum number of verified Bangladeshi Nationals who were in different prisons of Myanmar. The Embassy also pursued the relevant host authorities to bring the 144 ‘verified and jail term completed or pardoned’ retumees in Sittwe prison for smooth return and pursued for releasing the 29 verifred Bangladeshi nationals who were still serving their jail terms/under trial. Pursuant to the Mission’s efforts the 29 persons were pardoned and sent back to Bangladesh. Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and Bangladesh Consulate in Sittwe has been working steadfastly for this return since the last return of Bangladeshi citizens that took place on 03 October 2023 when 29 Bangladeshis returned home through a flag meeting. Representatives of Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and Bangladesh Consulate, Sittwe were physically present to coordinate with the local authorities, conduct verification process and issue Travel Permits in favour of the returnees. r<*