Bangladesh moves nearly 2000 Rohingya refugees to remote island

Nearly 2000 Rohingya refugees were sent by the Bangladesh government to the isolated island, where they will be relocated. The government ignored the concern of human rights groups, which are raising their voice against the move. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said four navy ships carrying 1700 Rogingya refugees reached the Bhashan Char island. The authorities clarified that the refugees were selected for relocation based on their willingness without any pressure. But, many social activists say some refugees were forced to go to the island, located 21 miles (34 kilometers) from the mainland. The Bhashan Char surfaced only 20 years ago and was not previously inhabited. It was flooded in every monsoon season. Now, the government has constructed flood protection embankments, houses, hospitals and mosques built at a cost of more than USD 112 million by the Bangladesh navy.