Publish: 14:22, 14 Jan, 2023 Updated:

Rohingya camps becoming base of crime

Mohammad Salim, Chattogram and Ayubul Islam, Cox's Bazar
Rohingya camps becoming base of crime
সংগৃহীত ছবি

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.

More News
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Banned polythene endangers environment
Banned polythene endangers environment
Foreign banks reluctant to issue LCs for some banks in the country
Foreign banks reluctant to issue LCs for some banks in the country
FBCCI involved in implementing govt’s agenda
FBCCI involved in implementing govt’s agenda
Hundi becomes reckless using TallyPay
Hundi becomes reckless using TallyPay
Big statistical discrepancies to show fake development in AL regime
Big statistical discrepancies to show fake development in AL regime
Majumdar's associates target Jamuna Bank takeover
Majumdar's associates target Jamuna Bank takeover
October dengue surge: 38 Deaths and 40,000+ hospitalizations
October dengue surge: 38 Deaths and 40,000+ hospitalizations
Export of Tk 2,500 crore charcoal in uncertainty
Export of Tk 2,500 crore charcoal in uncertainty
Govt earns billions of taka from unemployment
Govt earns billions of taka from unemployment
Excessive presence of heavy metal in Sitakunda wounds’ blood
Excessive presence of heavy metal in Sitakunda wounds’ blood
ACC, CID begin probe against Meghna Group over money laundering
ACC, CID begin probe against Meghna Group over money laundering
Latest News
Ex-DNCC Mayor Atiq arrested
Ex-DNCC Mayor Atiq arrested

5 hours ago | National

Govt plans to introduce pension for RMG workers: Asif
Govt plans to introduce pension for RMG workers: Asif

5 hours ago | National

Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers

6 hours ago | Special

‘Interim Govt doesn’t acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation’: Nahid
‘Interim Govt doesn’t acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation’: Nahid

6 hours ago | National

Bashundhara Shuvosangho distributes food among underprivileged people
Bashundhara Shuvosangho distributes food among underprivileged people

7 hours ago | Shuvosangho

World Food Day: Speakers for reducing waste to ensure food security
World Food Day: Speakers for reducing waste to ensure food security

7 hours ago | National

CA visits graffitis drawn by young revolutionaries at DU
CA visits graffitis drawn by young revolutionaries at DU

8 hours ago | National

Bangladesh Navy detains 31 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing
Bangladesh Navy detains 31 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing

8 hours ago | National

Shakib in Bangladesh squad for his last Test
Shakib in Bangladesh squad for his last Test

9 hours ago | Sports

Police to get new uniform, logo soon
Police to get new uniform, logo soon

9 hours ago | National

Dhaka voices “deep concern” over recent influx of 40,000 Rohingyas
Dhaka voices “deep concern” over recent influx of 40,000 Rohingyas

10 hours ago | National

Malaysia's 99-year-old ex-PM Mahathir in hospital again
Malaysia's 99-year-old ex-PM Mahathir in hospital again

10 hours ago | International

CA for enhanced trade cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan
CA for enhanced trade cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan

11 hours ago | National

Travel ban imposed on ex-MPs Showkat, Azad, Shaheen Chaklader
Travel ban imposed on ex-MPs Showkat, Azad, Shaheen Chaklader

11 hours ago | National

Indian airlines receive hoax bomb threats
Indian airlines receive hoax bomb threats

11 hours ago | International

12 High Court Judges being sent on leave
12 High Court Judges being sent on leave

11 hours ago | National

Conflict in Congo raises mental health issues
Conflict in Congo raises mental health issues

11 hours ago | International

‘Significant results won’t be seen soon regardless of fiscal policy’
‘Significant results won’t be seen soon regardless of fiscal policy’

11 hours ago | Economy

Body of BNP leader Harris Chowdhury exhumed
Body of BNP leader Harris Chowdhury exhumed

11 hours ago | National

Fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria killed 90
Fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria killed 90

11 hours ago | International

UK inflation hits three-year low, fuelling rate-cut hopes
UK inflation hits three-year low, fuelling rate-cut hopes

12 hours ago | International

Judges appointed during AL govt on leave: Sources
Judges appointed during AL govt on leave: Sources

12 hours ago | National

32,733 accidents in Bangladesh result in 35,384 deaths since 2019
32,733 accidents in Bangladesh result in 35,384 deaths since 2019

12 hours ago | National

Harris would ‘cut her own path’: Biden
Harris would ‘cut her own path’: Biden

12 hours ago | International

Case filed over 2014 attack on Khaleda Zia's rally stage
Case filed over 2014 attack on Khaleda Zia's rally stage

12 hours ago | National

Matia Chowdhury passes away
Matia Chowdhury passes away

12 hours ago | National

155 acres of occupied BFIDC land recovered
155 acres of occupied BFIDC land recovered

13 hours ago | National

Tigers’ new coach Phil Simmons arrives in Dhaka
Tigers’ new coach Phil Simmons arrives in Dhaka

13 hours ago | Sports

ICT prosecution to follow due process in trying journalists
ICT prosecution to follow due process in trying journalists

13 hours ago | National

Normalcy returns to RMG sector
Normalcy returns to RMG sector

13 hours ago | National

Most Read
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid

1 month ago | National

Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods
Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods

1 week ago | National

Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls
Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls

1 week ago | Special

Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT
Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT

1 month ago | National

What's behind China's gold-buying spree?
What's behind China's gold-buying spree?

6 months ago | Feature

Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter
Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards
Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards

7 months ago | Lifestyle

Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap
Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap

2 days ago | Showbiz

Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know
Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know

3 months ago | Feature

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter

3 months ago | International

English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence
English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence

7 months ago | Reader column

Concerns mount over looted weapons
Concerns mount over looted weapons

2 months ago | Special

Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final
Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final

2 years ago | Sports

Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE
Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE

2 years ago | Sports

Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga
Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga

1 year ago | National

World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach
World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach

3 months ago | Feature

Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company
Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company

8 months ago | Feature

Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka
Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka

2 years ago | National

Some skills to learn before going to study abroad
Some skills to learn before going to study abroad

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Factors that influence ADHD symptoms
Factors that influence ADHD symptoms

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Coconut for summer skin and hair care
Coconut for summer skin and hair care

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees
Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees

5 months ago | Feature

Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media
Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”
Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”

5 months ago | Feature

Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic
Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic

4 months ago | Feature

King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday
King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday

11 months ago | Lifestyle

Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh
Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time
Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time

4 months ago | Feature

Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly
Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly

2 years ago | Sports

Girl discovers dinosaur footprints on beach
Girl discovers dinosaur footprints on beach

1 month ago | Lifestyle