Rohingya refugee influx stabilises in Bangladesh

Dhaka Sep 23 (IANS) The number of Rohingya Muslim minority refugees who have fled violence in Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh has stabilised at almost 430 000 the UN Office in the country said on Saturday.

There has been no change in numbers since the latest report released on Thursday the Inter Sector Coordination Group said in a statement regarding the figure of 429 000 Rohingyas revealed at that time Efe news reported.

Although the influx has stabilised the UN office in Bangladesh said earlier that it did not rule out the number of refugees going up by 200 000 or 300 000 in the coming weeks as there were tens of thousands of Rohingyas waiting to cross the border to Bangladesh from Myanmar.

The exodus of Rohingyas began on August 25 after the Myanmar Army launched an offensive in the region following an attack by Rohingya rebels on multiple government posts.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had said that "ethnic cleansing" of the Rohingyas could be taking place in Myanmar.

Non-profits have denounced human rights violations and the international community has increased pressure on the Myanmar government over the military operation.

--IANS
soni/bg