That came after rebel attacks in August sparked a crackdown, led by security forces, in Rakhine state that the UN and United States have said constitutes ethnic cleansing. The army chief said, “The Bengalis do not have any characteristics or culture in common with the ethnicities of Myanmar. The tensions [in Rakhine State] were fuelled because the ‘Bengalis’ demanded citizenship.”Rohingya trace their presence in Rakhine back centuries. But most people in Myanmar consider them to be unwanted Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh. The army refers to the Rohingya as “Bengalis,” and most lack citizenship.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 24, 2018 10:30 UTC