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Myanmar sends back 159 more "boat people" to Bangladesh

Xinhua, August 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Myanmar authorities sent back on Monday 159 more Bangladeshi nationals rescued by the Myanmar navy to their country of origin, Bangladesh, after verification, according to a release of the Foreign Ministry.

The Bangladeshi people were repatriated from Taung Pyao (Letwe) camp with the remaining verified ones to be handed over later.

Myanmar navy rescued over 200 "boat people" in Rakhine state's Maungtaw and over 700 in Ayeyawaddy region's Pyapon in May when patrolling the waters.

Myanmar authorities have sent back a total of 501 Bangladeshi " boat people" on four different occasions since June after citizenship verification.

Investigation by the Myanmar government found that some of the "boat people" had fallen victim to human trafficking rings and crime syndicates after receiving offer of work in Thailand and Malaysia from illegal job brokers. Endi