In Cox's Bazar town, the police have stopped hosting and wedding of 2 Rohingya women without taking permission from the administration' in a residential hotel. During this time, more than half a hundred Rohingyas were detained and the passports of 19 foreign nationals were seized.
However, the locals said that this host was organised on the occasion of the marriage of two young Rohingya women and two Australian citizens. However, the police officials denied the matter.
Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox's Bazar Mohammad Rafiqul Islam said that the raid was conducted at the residential hotel Sea Pearl-2 in the Light House area of the hotel-motel zone of Cox's Bazar on Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Abdul Hamid (32) and Mohammad Ilyach (24) are Australian citizens of Rohingya origin in Myanmar. Their relatives live in various Rohingya camps in Ukhia and Teknaf.
Bride Khatija Begum (16) and Hasina Akter (17) are residents of Ukhia Upazila Balukhali Rohingya Camp. Some 63 Rohingya citizens and 19 foreigners were detained.
According to the police, among the foreign nationals, 12 are Australians of Rohingya origin and 7 are American citizens. Besides, one of the foreign nationals is Australian by birth.
Rafiqul Islam said that on Sunday afternoon, the police received information that a large number of Rohingya hosts of the shelter camp had gathered at the residential hotel Sea Can-2 in the Light House area of the hotel-motel zone of Cox's Bazar without the permission of the administration. Later, the police reached the spot and arrested around 100 Rohingyas and foreign nationals. Meanwhile, passports of 19 foreign nationals were seized. There are various materials for organizing events and cooked food at the venue. Realizing the presence of the police in the operation, the hotel's managers and employees fled.
The Additional Superintendent of Police said passports of foreign nationals were seized for verification and the detained Rohingyas were taken into police custody. Regarding Rohingyas detained in the camp, Rafiqul Islam said that further measures will be taken after discussing with the officials of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner's office.
Zainal Abedin, who is in charge of the security of the hotel, said that 19 foreign nationals have been staying in the hotel for the past 1 month. After arriving at the hotel on Sunday morning, they found that the Rohingyas had prepared food. “I don't know whether the event is hosting or wedding. On the occasion of the ceremony, these Rohingyas slaughtered a large cow and a buffalo. However, I have heard from various people that this meal was organized on the occasion of the marriage of two Rohingya young women and two citizens of foreign Rohingya origin. " The security personnel of the hotel said, "After the incident, the employees including the hotel manager ran away. Can they tell the main story well? "
Faridul Islam, a shopkeeper next door to the hotel, gave similar information. However, some people including Hamida Begum, a resident of Rohingya camp number 19 of Ukhia upazila, said that a relative named Abdul Hamid, who is staying in Australia, organized the host on the occasion of the annual Qulkhwani of the father. They came to the hotel to attend the ceremony.
They would go back to the camp after feasting. But before that the police came to the hotel and arrested them.”
Additional Superintendent of Police Rafiqul Islam said that the employees of the hotel including the manager organized the party without permission and the foreign nationals did not inform the police about their location. As they were absconding, the police could not get the statement of the hotel authorities. After talking to the hotel authorities, the police will take legal action against those responsible.