Students in Indonesia protest the growing numbers of Rohingya refugees in Aceh province

By YAYAN ZAMZAMI
Associated Press

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) — Students in Indonesia’s Aceh province have rallied, demanding the government drive away Rohingya refugees who have been arriving arriving by sea in growing numbers. Over 1,500 Rohingya, who fled violent attacks in Myanmar and now are leaving overcrowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh in search of a better life elsewhere, have arrived in Aceh, off the tip of Sumatra, since November. They have faced some hostility from fellow Muslims in Aceh. About 200 students protested in front of the provincial parliament in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, on Wednesday to call on lawmakers to act. They say the presence of Rohingya refugees will bring social and economic upheaval in the community.