India has dispatched around 1,000 tonnes of relief materials for Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh escaping the brutal crackdown of Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state. Indian Naval Ship Gharial, loaded with the relief goods for around 62,000 families, started for Chittagong port on Saturday, the India Times reports quoting an official statement. The relief material is in customised family packets containing essential items including rations, clothes and mosquito nets. According to United Nations, almost 430,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar and crossed to Bangladesh since security forces started fresh crackdown in Rakhine state on August 25. On the other hand, India is considering supplying arms to Myanmar’s government in a sign of strong support for a neighbour that faces criticism for its crackdown on Rohingya Muslims.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 24, 2017 06:33 UTC