Bangladesh authorities said they are ready to begin repatriating some of the more than 700, 000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled from army - led violence in Myanmar since last year. But refugees scheduled to leave said they would refuse to go because of fears for their safety.
Some said their families have fled from their shanties in the refugee camps to avoid being sent back. The situation remained tense in camps overnight.
Refugees, Repatriation and Rehabilitation Commissioner Abul Kalam said earlier Wednesday that 30 refugee families would be handed over Thursday at the Ghumdhum border point near Cox's Bazar, where refugees have been living in crammed camps.
But by late Wednesday, confusion grew over whether it would start.
Kalam said late Wednesday that they discussed the situation with the U. N. 's refugee agency, which gave a report after discussion with the refugees who are on the list. The U. N. does not want the government to send the refugees back under current circumstances.
Details of the repot were not shared, but Kalam said they wanted to be "hopeful" in beginning the repatriation on Thursday.
"We hope we will be able to confirm tomorrow morning (Thursday) how many we are taking, " he said.
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