Bashan Char either could be resort or place of homeless, says FM

UNB, DHAKA: Floating an alternative idea for Bashan Char, an island in Noakhali district, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said it could either be a resort or good place for homeless people instead of relocating Rohingyas there.

“We can think of an alternative instead of sending Rohingyas there. This is my personal thinking and there has been no decision from the government yet,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sharing his experience of recent visit to Bashan Char, Dr Momen said this is a very beautiful place having a nice lake and other facilities. “So beautiful place it is!”

Mentioning economic activities there, the Foreign Minister said it would be better if other people are sent to Bashan Char instead of sending Rohingyas only.

He said there are high and huge dams around the area.

Earlier, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh would not relocate Rohingya people to Bashan Char if all concerned think that would be a problem for them.

Bangladesh is hosting around 1.1 to 1.2 million Rohingya people in Cox’s Bazar district and there is a fear that there might be landslides during the upcoming monsoon causing casualties, according to officials.

The Foreign Minister recently visited Bangabandhu Shilpanagar, Matarbari power plant (under construction) and Bhasan Char.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman, BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present during the visit.

“It’s amazing!” said Dr Momen describing what he saw and mentioned that the government wants to increase investment, export and diversify the export basket.