Bangladesh facing unprecedented crisis over Rohingya issue: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented crisis over providing humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of Rohingyas and sending them back to their own country.

"Bangladesh is on the verge of unprecedented crisis as Rohingya disaster has taken a serious turn due to recent military operation and violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar. The present situation is much worse comparing to any time of the past," she told the parliament.

The premier was responding to a question of treasury bench lawmaker Abdul Matin.

"Today's problem has been created by Myanmar authorities and Myanmar has to solve it," she said.

However, the premier firmly hoped that despite various obstacles, Bangladesh would be able to resolve the problem with the assistance of international communities.

Portraying a sorry state of Rohingyas, the premier said more than six lakh Rohingyas took shelter in Bangladesh in two months since late August as they faced atrocities in Myanmar.

"And still Rohingya people are entering into Bangladesh through crossing the border every day," she said.

Mentioning her government's steps in addressing the crisis, the premier said Bangladesh has been carrying out a vigorous diplomatic move to hold a special session of UNHCR on Rohingya crisis to send them to their homeland.

She said the world community has stood by Bangladesh for the first time on any issue, which did not happen in the past. 

"We have been carrying out hectic diplomatic efforts and bilateral communications with Myanmar to resolve the crisis," she said.

Instigators must face music

Referring to the decade-long crisis regarding Rohingyas, the premier said today's problem was "created by Ziaur Rahman-led government" in 1978.

She alleged there is no doubt that a vested quarter has been instigating here to involve the Rohingyas in acts of violence.

Issuing a note of warning against the instigators, she said, "If anybody instigates Rohingyas to involve in acts of violence, must face the music. And there is no doubt about this."

Reiterating her government's firm stance against the acts of violence and militancy, she said her government would not allow anybody to use the soil of the land to operate terrorist activities in any neighbouring country.

"We believe in peace. We want all in the region live in peace. Our main target is to develop the economy of our country. Ensuring peace is necessary for achieving the target," she added.

Govt to provide food to locals who suffer for Rohingyas

Responding to a supplementary question, the premier said her government would provide food and medical assistance to those, who are not able to plough their land due to Rohingya influx.

In the supplementary question, Cox's Bazar lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi said 15,000 people from five unions under his constituency have been suffering for food as their resources were affected due to Rohingya people.

"If we can provide food and other assistance to 10 lakh Rohingyas, we will be able to feed 15,000 local people as well," she said.

"Khaleda visited Cox's Bazar for staging showdown"

Referring to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's recent visit to Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, the premier raised a question about the motive of her visit.

"It is a question to many people, why she visited there actually," she said.

"The way she went there with gorgeous dress-up and a huge motorcade, it seemed whether she went there to attend a wedding ceremony or to stage a showdown," she said, claiming that their visit was to stage a showdown, they did not have any sympathy to the Rohingyas.

Pointing to Khaleda Zia's allegation that the government failed to address the Rohingya crisis, the premier lambasted the BNP chief saying, "How will she witness the success stories of the government who is blind despite having eyes."

The premier also raised a question whether the BNP chief has the feeling of humanity.

"We do not pay any heed to the words of those who patron the war criminals and kill people through firebombs in the name of the movement," she said.

Referring to the Rohingya influx to Bangladesh in 1991, the premier said she visited Cox's at that time before Khaleda Zia, the then premier.

"Actually, they do not have the mentality to stand by the people. Our political commitment is to stand by the oppressed people and we will continue our politics with the motto sincerely," she said.