The general Rohingyas, who’re living in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, want to return to their country at any cost. A large part of them want to utilize the chance of being repatriated. Only a vested group of Rohingyas, who’re enjoying various unethical activities and misusing the camp facilities don’t want to go back. A group of Rohingyas, favored by international organizations, joined them.
According to the sources, Rohigyas living in camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf were divided over the repatriation issues. The representative team of Rohingyas went to visit the repatriation infrastructures in Myanmar and returned to Bangladesh on May 5 after inspecting it. They expressed their negative views over the facilities there. However, the general Rohingyas living in the camps are not supporting their views. Hence, they want to make aware the other Rohingyas living in the camps over the safe and normal repatriation.
On the condition of remaining anonymous, a Rohingya leader of Balukhali Camp of Ukhiya said, “Ending the floating life, we want to return to the country. Their demands will not be fulfilled if we stay in foreign land. Hence, we want to return Myanmar at first, and then we could present our demands to the world.”
About the Rohingyas’ reluctant for repatriation, Ajmat Ali, the elderly resident of Kutupalang Rohinya Camp in Ukhiya, said, “Showing the safety reasons, some Rohingyas want to stay in Bangladesh and they’re demanding its citizenship. However, we believe there won’t be trouble in safety issues if we return to Myanmar. If the Myanmar authority starts to oppress us again, then it will be highlighted to the world. So, Myanmar authority won’t act like this.”
Abdul Hamid, the resident of registered Rohingya Camp in Nawapara of Teknaf, said, “We’re not so happy in living in hilly areas of Bangladesh. Internal conflict triggered even to murder here. We lack safety here; so what would be different if we return to Rakhain?”
A Rohingya youth leader in Ukhiya said how the Rohingyas will return to Myanmar, what facilities they will enjoy there, how they will live are not clear to them. No one has briefed the Rohingyas on this issue in detail. The Rohingyas should be informed about these issues first, and the fear of the Rohingyas should be removed in case of returning to Rakhine. They have to be understood, as was the case with Bhasanchar.
Ordinary Rohingyas say that Rohingya leaders are refusing to go to Rakhine, demanding safe and proper repatriation. In fact, they don’t want to go to Myanmar due to the fear of missing out on job opportunities in various institutions apart from relief and cash aid in Rohingya camps. In the current global situation, the Rohingyas are not willing to give up the ongoing facilities even though the donor countries and organizations have reduced the allocation of funds.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mizanur Rahman said, “As the Rohingya problem is long-standing, it will not be solved in a day. However, there is no alternative to repatriation to solve this problem. Repatriation is possible only if the Myanmar government and the Rohingyas make concessions. In this regard, the Myanmar delegation will again come to Cox's Bazar and talk to the Rohingyas. I’ve noticed the considerable goodwill of Myanmar regarding repatriation.”
According to the authorities concerned, Bangladesh wants to start the repatriation of Rohingyas this month. Myanmar has also agreed to it. The repatriation program is expected to begin with a pilot project intermediated by the dominant power China. The Myanmar government has announced several facilities for the Rohingyas. Bangladesh wants to use this opportunity to take the burden of the huge Rohingya population off the shoulders. It is no longer possible for Bangladesh to bear this burden. Although Bangladesh has sheltered about 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds, the Rohingyas in the camps are involved in various criminal activities including drug smuggling and terrorism. Clashes are often occurs on in the camp, including gun-firing. Outside the camp, they’re involved in various crimes including smuggling, theft and robbery, in addition to Yaba trade. The law and order situation is rapidly deteriorating. The situation is going to such a level that the local people of Bangladesh are living like foreigners in their own land.
The members of the Bangladesh delegation accompanying the Rohingyas expressed their satisfaction over the arrangement in Rakhine. They said six years ago, more than 8 lakh Rohingyas from different parts of Rakhine state crossed the Naf river and took refuge in Bangladesh, but the Rohingyas did not move in Maungdu town, even thugh the environment for living was good there.
An official of a government agency who went to Rakhine as a member of the delegation said on condition of anonymity that Rohingya girls were running businesses independently in Mangdu town. The model village of Mangdu is much better than the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh. Those who will stay in the model village, each of their family (Rohinga) will be allocated 1 acre of land for cultivation. Besides, Rohingya children will have the opportunity to study in school as well as work and do business independently. Hospitals, mosques and playgrounds are being housed in the model villages, which were not present in Rohingya settlements in the past. Rohingyas should seize the opportunity.
@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on May 9 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
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