DHAKA, April 23, 2024 (BSS) - The largest return of Bangladeshi citizens from 
Myanmar took place as 173 'verified Bangladeshi' today en route home from 
Sittwe prison in Rakhine State of Myanmar, said the Bangladesh Embassy in 
Yangon.

The returnees were carried by the 'Myanmar Naval Ship Chin Dwin' which is 
visiting Bangladesh to bring back 285 Myanmar security personnel who were 
forced to cross the border into Bangladeshi territory due to conflict in 
Rakhine state, according to a press release, issued by Bangladesh Embassy in 
Yangon, received here. 
 
The ship is expected to reach the Bangladesh terrain on Wednesday and the 
handover procedure of the Bangladeshi citizens to the relevant authorities 
will take place.
 
Out of the 173 persons, 129 are from Cox's Bazar, 30 from Bandarban, 07 from 
Rangamati, one each from Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Narayanganj, Chattogram, 
Rajbari, Narsingdi and Nilphamari.

Bangladesh mission in Yangon, upon receipt of the information of the 
tentative visit of the Myanmar ship to Bangladesh, took up the issue with the 
Bangladesh Foreign and Home Ministries and relevant Myanmar authorities to 
seize the opportunity to send back the maximum number of verified Bangladeshi 
Nationals who were in different prisons in Myanmar.

The Embassy also pursued the relevant host authorities to bring the 144 
'verified and jail term completed or pardoned' returnees in Sittwe prison for 
smooth return and pursued for releasing the 29 verified Bangladeshi nationals 
who were still serving their jail terms or 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 have been 
working steadfastly for this return since the last return of Bangladeshi 
citizens that took place on October 3, 2023 when 29 Bangladeshis returned 
home through a flag meeting.

Representatives of Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon and Bangladesh Consulate  in 
Sittwe were physically present to coordinate with the local authorities, 
conduct verification process and issue Travel Permits in favour of the 
returnees.