Unholy circles in the Rohingya camps are discouraging the Rohingyas from going for relocation to Bhasan Char island, a new and modern settlement established by the Bangladesh government at a cost of Tk 2300 core.
These quarters have also threatened the Rohingyas in the world’s largest refugee camps in Cox's Bazar against showing interest in Bhasan Char.
Due to the activities of these circles, benefits of the initiative to take the Rohingyas to Bhasan Char are not materialising. Although the common Rohingyas do not have much objection to relocation in Bhasan Char, propaganda and misconduct of the cliques are obstructing them from openly speaking about Bhasan Char.
Currently, 303 Rohingyas are in Bhasan Char. A 40-member Rohingya delegation from the Cox's Bazar camp visited Bhasan Char to talk to these 303 people and see the situation in Bhasan Char firsthand.
Recently this reporter had spoken about the relocation to Bhasan Char with the delegation in the camps, the common Rohingyas and some of their top leaders.
Mohammad Haron of Camp -17, a member of the delegation returning from Bhasan Char said, the Char( Island) is a very fine-looking place. The accommodation and facilities at the island built by the Bangladesh government is also fine and safe.
We have presented to relatives in the camps what we have seen there, now the authorities will decide what to do next, he added.
But speaking to multiple sources in the camps, it was known that members of the Bhasan Char-returned team have not yet openly said much to the Rohingyas. Maximum members of the delegation do not want to open their mouths about this.
Last week, eight people were killed in clashes over dominance in Rohingya camps. There is also a frightening situation prevailing for fear of further clashes.
In such a situation, Mohammad Mohibullah, Chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights ASPH, apparently a top leader in Coxs Bazar camps said, it is not clear what the situation in Bhasan Char is as the delegation had not talked about their visit.
“No one opened their mouth about what they saw there and what the conditions of Rohingyas who are currently living there are, he said, adding, though the officials talked to us several times about the new settlements in the island,we are not sure which authorities of the government are responsible.”
Mohibullah also demanded a dialogue between the Government and Rohingyas regarding Bhasan Char relocation.
Cox's Bazar is currently home to one million Rohingya on 6,500 acres of land, which is the most densely populated area on earth at the moment.
Under the supervision of the Bangladesh Navy, the Government of Bangladesh has built a settlement for one lakh Rohingyas at Bhasan Char. The island has 13 km long flood control dams and 120 four-storey cyclone shelters.
The government also ensured developing livelihood for the Rohingyas through agriculture and cattle rearing.
Chenuara Begum, a resident of Madhur Chhara Camp, told this reporter that as Bhasanchar is surrounded by the sea, houses there are not steady, for which they did not want to live there.
“We hear about all kinds of opportunities there, but we can't decide about going there. Our leaders will decide that,” she added.
Mohammad Shamsudoza, Additional Refugee, Relief and Repartition Commissioner RRRC (Addi) said, various kinds of confusions are being spread among the Rohingyas. They accept the propaganda due to lack of education and initiation. Various types of circles have sprung up in the camps. These cliques are trying to control the Rohingyas fearing their dominance will be diminished.
"Rohingyas should be able to settle in Bhasan Char very well," Shamsudoza said. "Rohingyas should not listen to any kind of propaganda. We are trying to make them understand that," he added.