Myanmar parliament has approved around Tk125 crore for the construction of a fence and related projects along the border with Bangladesh in Rakhine state, according to media reports. According to AP, lawmaker Myo Zaw Aung said the budget was proposed by the country’s Home Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry and Border Affairs Ministry which are all controlled by the military. Nearly 700,000 Rohingyas have fled violence in Rakhine state since last August and took shelter in Bangladesh. In Myanmar, Rohingyas are regarded as “illegal immigrants from Bangladesh” by the majority even though members of the minority group are long-time settlers. Myanmar’s Buddhist majority supports its military’s actions against the Rohingya minority.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 24, 2018 07:41 UTC