Photo: Messenger
The Rohingya camps have transformed into hubs of criminal activities, rendering Bangladesh's land unsafe due to their involvement in terrorist acts. Daily incidents of deadly clashes plague the camps, with the latest casualty being Mohammad Ilyas (43), a head majhi shot and killed amidst escalating dominance struggles within the Rohingya refugee camp," stated OC Shamim Hossain of Ukhia police station. While the world champions the cause of Rohingya rights, there is a conspicuous silence surrounding the crucial issue of repatriation.
Despite visits from high-level officials including representatives from the United States, European Union, British High Commissioner, World Bank Country Director, United Nations Resident Coordinator, and Head of Humanitarian Aid of the Canadian High Commission, the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar has yet to receive any significant messages regarding repatriation. Experts within the country have emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Rohingya issue does not become entangled in regional geopolitics, advocating instead for a solution through resettlement.
According to diplomatic and security analysts, the Bangladesh government's provision of temporary shelter to the Rohingyas was primarily driven by humanitarian concerns. They assert that with the support of the international community, there should be no impediments to their repatriation. Despite the advocacy efforts of various Rohingya NGOs for their rights, the role of immigration remains largely absent. The prolonged silence of the international community on the issue of repatriation, even after six and a half years, raises questions and calls for scrutiny into the underlying reasons.
A 6-member delegation, headed by committee chairman and former foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs visited the Ukhia Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar last Sunday. During their visit, the Rohingyas expressed their desire to return to their homeland and sought assistance from Bangladesh and the international community in this regard. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud emphasised on Sunday that terrorist groups are recruiting members from Rohingya camps, causing not only issues for Bangladesh but also for neighboring countries. The presence of Rohingyas has disrupted the environment and law and order, with many individuals allegedly involved in drug and terrorist activities, exacerbating the situation day by day.
According to sources, Rohingyas are leading relatively comfortable lives with both domestic and foreign aid, receiving free food and accommodations. However, there are concerns that food aid provided by international organisations is being smuggled across the border by Rohingyas to members of the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army in exchange for drugs. Rohingyas now outnumber local residents in Ukhia and Teknaf, leading to potential food insecurity in Cox's Bazar. Over the past six years and a half, Rohingyas have dominated the labour market in Ukhia, resulting in unemployment among locals who are willing to work for lower wages. Additionally, there are reports of Myanmar's law enforcement forces seeking refuge along the Bangladesh border, armed with weapons, contributing to an increase in armed conflicts and mortar shellings along the border, resulting in casualties. Consequently, schools have been repeatedly closed, and local residents have been forced to relocate from their ancestral homes to safer areas.
Local authorities and administrative sources are reporting that the Teknaf-Ukhia region is increasingly becoming unsafe in Bangladesh. Residents are fleeing the area due to the threat posed by Rohingya terrorists, who have been targeting majhis for murder, leading to a sense of fear among the population. Law enforcement agencies are conducting daily raids to apprehend the terrorists, who have formed kidnapping organisations in the hills of Teknaf and Ukhia. There is a thriving underground trade in foreign firearms and narcotics like yaba among the Rohingyas, who resort to shooting at Bangladeshi law enforcement personnel when confronted. Moreover, the camps are utilising sophisticated technology for various illicit activities, including the making of fake passports and national identity cards (NID). Despite regular raids, the criminal gang members continue their operations, contributing to a surge in crime such as murder, extortion, drug trafficking, kidnapping, rape, gold smuggling, and illegal cigarette trade.
Since the onset of the Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, the international community, including the United Nations, various international alliances such as the European Union, several Western nations, and human rights organisations, have stood by Bangladesh. However, a conspicuous silence regarding the fundamental solution of repatriation has persisted since the outset. The Rohingyas have repeatedly expressed their desire to return to their homeland, a sentiment echoed by the Bangladesh government, which has sought the assistance of the international community in this endeavor. While aid for the Rohingyas has been plentiful, there appears to be a diplomatic strategy aimed at exerting pressure for repatriation to Myanmar. According to diplomats, the Rohingya crisis has the potential to evolve into a geopolitical issue.
According to the United Nations, there are approximately seven million Rohingyas, while the government estimates the number to be around 12 lakh. However, the actual number of Rohingyas who have fled to Bangladesh, both before and after August 25, 2017, is estimated to be around 20 lakh. Law enforcement officials report a surge in drug smuggling and weapon usage since the influx of Rohingyas, leading to over two hundred fatalities in the past six and a half years. Despite increased security measures in Rohingya camps by both government and non-governmental organisations, the incidents of violence and killings have persisted.
Former secretary and ambassador AKM Atiqur Rahman has expressed concern that a time may come when a significant number of Rohingya individuals, particularly the youth, could become involved in militant and terrorist activities. He warns that such developments could not only incur losses for Bangladesh but also disrupt the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region due to their potential influence.
Security analyst Major General (Retd.) Abdur Rashid highlighted the security crisis posed by accommodating a large population in a limited area. He emphasised that the current situation makes it challenging to find a solution, especially considering the inability to repatriate the Rohingyas. Additionally, he noted that a significant portion of Myanmar's border with Bangladesh is now controlled by the insurgent group Arakan Army, further complicating the situation.
Director of the Center for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University and Professor of the Department of International Relations at Dhaka University, Imtiaz Ahmed, emphasised Myanmar's lack of sincerity in Rohingya repatriation efforts, describing it as a diplomatic drama. He stressed the need for international pressure to facilitate repatriation and ensure assistance for the Rohingyas.
Messenger/Disha
