Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said there is no scope to show generosity to new Rohingya influx into Bangladesh territory amid the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
He said: "We will not allow Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh again. Earlier, we opened the border showing generosity. Now there is no scope to show such generosity."
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was briefing the media at Setu Bhaban in the city's Banani area today (February 7).
He said Bangladesh continues talks with the authorities concerned so that Myanmar's internal conflict does not become a concern for Bangladesh.
"We are holding talks with China and India, in particular. The Myanmar ambassador to Bangladesh was summoned. The envoy said Myanmar will take back those who fled to Bangladesh due to the conflict," he said.
Mentioning that the Rohingyas have become a burden for Bangladesh now, the AL general secretary said the flow of international aid to Rohingyas has decreased significantly.
"How long will we bear this burden in such a situation?" he questioned.
He said it is the internal crisis of Myanmar while Arakan Army is the Myanmar's problem.
"What they do with their internal affairs is up to them. We will talk to those who are concerned so that we don't have any panic or concern for their (Myanmar) problem," Quader said.
About the recent statements of BNP leaders, he said BNP is now extremely disappointed because of its failure in movement and not joining the elections.
To overcome that frustration, the AL general secretary said, the BNP leaders will now oppose the government in the name of opposition and they have decided to do so.
Earlier in the morning at Setu Bhaban, a delegation, led by World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Abdoulaye Seck, held a meeting with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on the progress of various projects of the global lender.
During the meeting, the minister said the government is implementing a road safety project involving about Tk 5,000 crore aiming to check road accidents and minimise loss and damage on the roads.
The five-year project will be completed by June 30, 2028, he added.
BDST: 1758 HRS, FEB 07, 2024
MN/SMS
