1,464 more Rohingyas arrive Bhasan Char
Earlier on Friday, another 1,778 Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char
Four ships carrying 1,464 Rohingyas have reached Bhasan Char in Noakhali in the third phase of the government's Rohingya relocation project.
The ships of the Bangladesh Navy carrying the Rohingyas left Chattogram Port for Bhasan Char around 9.30am on Saturday and reached the island around 12pm.
Earlier on Friday, another 1,778 Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char.
According to a government agency involved in the Rohingya relocation process, a list of about 40,000 refugees willing to go to Bhasan Char has been prepared. Preparations are underway to relocate at least 5,000 more Rohingyas in the fourth phase in February.
In the past two months, 3,446 Rohingyas were relocated to Bhasan Char in two phases.
Since Thursday night, Rohingyas along with their families from different camps in Ukhia and Teknaf gathered at Ukhia Degree College field. After registering their names, they left for Chattogram Friday afternoon.
After completing the final procedures at the transit camp of BAF Shaheen College in Chattogram, they were taken on board on Saturday under the management of the Bangladesh Navy.
Meanwhile, Deputy Project Director of Bhasan Char Project (Asrayan Project-3) Commander M Anwarul Kabir said 1,778 Rohingyas who reached Bhasan Char were accommodated in their rooms in the centre.
On 4 December, in the first phase, 1,642 Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char. In the second phase, 1,804 people were taken there on 29 December.
Earlier, the government took 306 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char in May after they failed to reach Malaysia by sea illegally.
On August 25 2017, more than 7.5 lakh Rohingyas took refuge in Bangladesh after crossing the border in the face of killing and torture by the Myanmar army.
Altogether, over 11 lakh Rohingyas are now living in various camps in Cox's Bazar.
According to official data, the government has implemented the Bhasan Char Relocation Project at Tk3,095 crore from its funds for Rohingya relocation.
Infrastructure has been built in 120 cluster villages suitable for one lakh Rohingyas.
The Bangladesh Navy is responsible for the implementation and management of the entire housing project in Bhasan Char.