Bengalis' demands hinder illegal immigration probe

Published on Wednesday, 05 December 2012 21:04

The government's investigation into illegal Bengalis in Rakhine State faced some delays in Pauktaw Township as the Bengalis demanded for registering them as Rohingyas a few days ago.

None of the Bengalis’ requests have been accepted as of today, according to officials.

In an attempt to investigate three generations of the Bengalis in accordance with the 1982 Citizenship Act, officials from the immigration department were asking the Bengalis routine questions like their birthplaces and occupations, and their grandparents and parents’ death places.

The Bengalis refused to sign the papers and demanded the officials to record them as Rohingyas.

Only the Bengalis over the age of 18 are being asked the questions, a security-in-charge with the rank of captain said requesting not to be named.

After a halt for a few days, the investigation, however, resumed, he said.

Action will be taken against the illegal Bengalis once the investigation is completed, added the official.

Each investigation team consists of 18 members, including officials from immigration department and border immigration inspection department, police, soldiers and representatives from Rakhine and Bengali groups, wards and village-tract administrative office.

The investigation to find illegal Bengalis began after President Thein Sein announced last July that there are no Rohingyas in Myanmar.

According to the Rakhine State government, over 23,000 Bengalis from over 3,700 households have been investigated in Pauktaw Township till November 20.

The Bengali population is concentrated in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Sittwe townships.
The government plans to increase the number of troops to carry out investigation in the areas.