Narinjara news
Fast-unto-death :
Burmese citizens on hunger strike In a Bangladeshi Jail
Bandarban, 1st April 02: A total of 552 Thai and
Burmese nationals detained in the south-eastern hill district jail in
Bangladesh even after expiry of their prison terms went on hunger strike
demanding repatriation, according to a police officer in the jail.
The agitated prisoners, who began fast-unto-death from Friday night, refused to
eat or hold any discussion with the administration.
Of the prisoners, 79 are Thai while 473 Burmese nationals constituting of Rakhine, Burmese, Mon, Kayin, Muslims including Rohingyas - who were jailed on various charges and have
already completed their prison terms.
" The administration has taken all-out measures
by tightening security and deploying police reinforcements to check any
possible demonstrations or indiscipline inside the jail" said the
official.
Fire Brigade and Civil Defense Forces have also been put on stand-by near the
jail. Meanwhile, the jail authorities have decided to move out 200 prisoners to
Comilla, 50 to Rangamati
and another 50 to Noakhali jail in case the situation
does not improve.
These prisoners have not been taken back even after repeated rejoinders to
their respective government authorities by the Bangladeshi officials, according
to the prison official in the jail.
The hunger strike coincides with a Buddhist pagoda festival allegedly conducted
by a Buddhist monk from Bandarban who has close ties
with the Burmese junta leaders and who the Burmese Embassy officials in