Murder, abduction, extortion, snatching, robbery and Yaba trade have increased in 34 Rohingyas camps in Ukhia, Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar, apparently making the ordinary refugees’ lives unsafe day by day.
Several hundred Rohingyas died in last 3 years due to conflict among the refuges while fifty others were disappeared. To escape these incidents, many Rohingyas have already left the camps and have spread to different parts of the district. Many others have also expressed interest to go to Bhasan Char to save their lives and avoid troubles.
It is learned that on August 25, 2017, Rohingyas started coming to Bangladesh in groups to save their lives after being brutally tortured by the Myanmar army. On humanitarian ground, Prime Minister Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina gave shelter to these Rohingyas in Ukhia, Teknaf and Cox's Bazar. Currently, 1.1 million Rohingyas are living in 34 camps in Ukhia-Teknaf.
Apart from providing shelters to these Rohingyas, Bangladesh is providing them with all kinds of assistance starting from food, clothing and houses. Bangladesh is also carrying out various activities including diplomatic activities to repatriate them to Myanmar.
Hafeez Maulana Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Kutupalong Registered Camp in Ukhia, said ordinary Rohingyas were becoming insecure due to some mischievous Rohingyas taking refuge in the camp. “Before 2017 we were in very good condition here.”
“With the arrival of new Rohingyas, many miscreants have also come. Because of them we have become extremely insecure today. Kidnappings, murders and drug trafficking have increased. There have been hundreds of Rohingyas fighting among themselves. Fifty Rohingyas have gone missing too”, he said.
Rafiqul Islam who lives in Mainarghona camp said it would be better to go to Bhasanchar and live safely than to be afraid of life here. Abul Kashem, Faridul Alam, Karima Begum, Rahima Khatun and Mabia Begum living in Jamtali camp said they were not able to sleep for the last two weeks. They are spending their days in panic with everyone in the family. Many have left the camp to save their lives. They also want to move to Bhasan Char instead of staying here, .
Mohammad Kashem, Fayez, Nur Hossain and Rabia Basri, who live in the Chakmarkul camp, said that some bloodthirsty people had risen up among the Rohingyas. They are also violating Rohingya women. So they don't want to be here anymore. Since they can't go to Myanmar at the moment, they want to move to Bhasanchar. If the situation becomes good, they will return to Myanmar from Basanchar.
Rohingyas Salimullah, Mohammad Anwar Hossain and Shamsul Alam, who live in the Balukhali camp, said, "These animals are kidnapping and killing the people of the country who have given us shelter and food in Bangladesh. It is a great shame for us. Some misguided members of our
community are involved in various misdeeds including collecting money from the markets inside the camps.”
“Many are running yaba business from inside here. We don't want it. So for ordinary Rohingyas like us, these camps are becoming unsafe day by day. We want to move to Bhasanchar, to live in peace,” he added.
Mohammad Abul Kashem, a Rohingya teacher in-charge of the Shamlapur camp in Teknaf, said hundreds of Rohingya had died in the last three years due to their grouping, which is very embarrassing for us as well as a matter of panic. Ordinary Rohingyas want to be safe and they do not want to get into any trouble.
According to the Office of the Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation, there are currently 306 Rohingyas living in Bhasan Char. A representative of 40 Rohingyas, including two CICs, went there on September 5 to see the living conditions and facilities of Bhasan Char.
The delegation observed the situation in Bhasan Char and expressed satisfaction. The members of the delegation later visited other places to create awareness among other Rohingyas.
Shamsuddoza Nayan, additional commissioner at the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission's office, said conditions in the camps were now normal. We are watching it all the time.
Eight people, including a Bangladeshi, were killed in a recent clash at the Kutupalong camp in Ukhia. There have been five cases lodged in this regard.
After inspecting the spot, Chittagong Range DIG Mohammad Anwar Hossain told the media that those involved in the incident would be found and brought under exemplary punishment. Police have already detained 25 Rohingyas involved from the camp area.
Two armed police battalions are working to maintain peace and order in the camp. Additional IGP of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Mosharraf Hossain has been monitoring the situation in the camp for the past two days after the recent incident.
He said APBn members have been instructed on how to maintain peace and order in the camps.
Cox's Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Md Rafiqul Islam said the number of cases against Rohingyas for various crimes in 2017 was 76, with 159 accused. In 2018, 414 people were accused in 238 cases. In 2019, the number of cases increased to 263 with 649 accused. So far in 2020, there have been 204 cases with 705 Rohingya accused. The Addl SP said that police have started working to curb any kind of crime trend including social conflict, violence against women among Rohingyas. Check posts are being made more active so that Rohingyas cannot leave the camps and go elsewhere.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Kamal Hossain said arrangements would be made to take Rohingyas to Bhasan Char if they are interested.