Setting a unique example of humanity, the refugee camps of Rohingyas placed in Bangladesh have turned into a poison pit as well as the security of local residents is threatened and conflicts, robberies, rapes, kidnappings, murders are a normal picture in these refugee camps.
In addition to engaging in conflict themselves, the Rohingya have also been accused of attacking members of law enforcement agencies and locals. 135 murders have been committed in the last five years in 32 Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. There have been 5229 cases.
Syed Harun Ur Rashid, Additional DIG APBN-14 captain of Cox's Bazar's Teknaf, said, “Various steps have been taken to control the crimes of the Rohingya camp. Along with the arrest of identified criminals in the camp, checkposts and patrols have been strengthened. As soon as the crime was committed, those involved were brought under arrest.”
“Apart from family violence, incidents like drugs, weapons, robbery, kidnapping and murder are more common in Rohingya camps. After committing the crime, some took up residence in the camp at Zero Point. This makes it difficult to take action against them. However, law enforcement agencies are working jointly to control crime,” he added.
Faridul Alam, PP advocate of Cox's Bazar district, said, “The number of cases against Rohingyas has increased more than any time in the past. About 2 thousand cases are ongoing in different courts of Cox's Bazar. Most of these are related to drugs, attempted murder, murder, extortion, smuggling and kidnapping. The process of quick settlement of ongoing cases is going on.”
According to information from law enforcement agencies in Cox's Bazar, a section of the Rohingya who fled in 2017 in the face of Myanmar army operations turned criminal from early 2018. Since then, more than 135 murders have occurred in Rohingya camps in the past five years.
Apart from this, 5229 cases have been filed against 14 types of crimes including drugs, weapons, robbery, robbery, rape, conflict over domination, kidnapping, attempted murder, extortion, human trafficking, gold smuggling.
The accused in these cases are hundreds of thousands of Rohingya. 30 people were killed in Rohingya camps in the last seven months. Most of the Rohingyas who were victims of murder are mazhis and zimmadars of different blocks. Arsa, a Myanmar-based organization, was accused of these murders.
In addition, 279 people were killed in a gun battle with various forces in Cox's Bazar during the nationwide anti-drug campaign in 2018. 109 of them are Rohingya.
In August 2017, the Rohingyas took refuge in different areas of Cox's Bazar in the face of the Myanmar army's operation. But the newly sheltered Rohingyas got involved in various crimes within a few months. Small gangs are created.
According to sources, hundreds of small gangs are currently active in the camp. Each of these groups has between 50 and 500 members. These groups are committing 14 types of crimes including extortion, robbery, robbery, arms and drug trade, human trafficking, kidnapping.
Besides, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa), Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Islami Mahaj, Jamiwatul Mujahideen and some other organizations are active in the camp. Against them, there are allegations of target killing, extortion in fund collection, drug trade, kidnapping. It is known that the local residents are also suffering from insecurity due to the shelter camps. It is alleged that incidents of attacks on them, breaking into homes and looting goods are happening often.
Noor Mohammad Sikder, president of Teknaf's voluntary organization 'Porikolpito Ukhia Chai', said, “Locals are under security threat due to Rohingyas. They (Rohingyas) are involved in all kinds of crimes including drug-weapons trade, human trafficking, robbery, robbery.”
“Apart from that, they attacked the locals in little incidents. Even if you complain against them, nothing is done. They are becoming aggressive day by day because they get away with committing crimes. If their crimes are not controlled, the survival of Teknaf locals will be the responsibility,” he added.
According to the National Task Force on Rohingya Issues, there were about 1.1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh after August 25, 2017. But 30,000 Rohingya children are born every year in the camps. As such, 150,000 Rohingya children were born in the camp in five years.
@The report was published on print and online versions of the Bangladesh Pratidin on January 14 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.
