US for putting pressure on Myanmar over Rohingya repatriation

US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Robert Miller on Monday laid emphasis on creating pressure on Myanmar to take back Rohingyas from Bangladesh, reports UNB.

"Pressure should be created on Myanmar to take back (Rohingyas)," he said when he met prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The US ambassador said the US highly appreciates the generosity of the prime minister for hosting over 1 million Rohingyas.

He also congratulated the prime minister on the eve of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that falls on Tuesday.

Miller said the US embassy in Dhaka will celebrate Bangabandhu's birth centenary with separate programmes.

He handed over a photo album signed by the photographer of Bangabandhu and then US president Gerald Ford during his visit in the USA in October 1974.

The prime minister said the government has rescheduled the birth centenary programmes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

She said the government has taken full precautionary measures to combat the virus.

Talking about the birth centenary programmes, Sheikh Hasina said various types of social programmes, including tree plantation, have been taken.

She said the government will ensure cent percent electricity in the country and build homes for the homeless by the 'Mujib Barsho' (17 March, 2020 to 26 March, 2021).

PM's principal secretary Ahmad Kaikaus was present at the meeting.