Photo: Messenger
Even after seven years, with repatriation remaining uncertain, the Rohingya camps have become hotbeds of illicit arms and drug trade, as well as territorial disputes. The local population has dwindled to a minority, as many have fled their ancestral homes due to fears of Rohingya violence, seeking safety elsewhere. Killings and unrest have become commonplace across the 34 camps.
In the past five months, 20 Rohingyas have been killed by gunfire from armed groups in the refugee camps, highlighting the rising violence inthe camps. Over the past five years,
at least 164 killings have occurred in the Rohingya camps, with the number being highest in the last two years.
On Monday, three Rohingyas were shot and hacked to death over territorial domination at a shelter camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar. Seven others were shot and injured in the same incident.
Locals say that after the killings of Muhibullah and the seven-murder incident, the Teknaf-Ukhiya area of Bangladesh has become insecure. Many locals have fled the area out of fear of Rohingya terrorists. Even community leaders (Mazhis) flee the camps at night out of fear. Law enforcement has to think twice before conducting raids against the terrorists at night.
The Rohingyas have set up abduction gangs in the hills of Teknaf and Ukhiya. A thriving business of foreign pistols and yaba is ongoing. If obstructed, the Rohingyas open fire on Bangladesh's law enforcers. Additionally, advanced global technology is being used in the camps for various illicit activities. Fake passports and NID cards are also being produced. Regular raids fail to stop the members of these rings. The Rohingyas have turned the area into a land of crimes including killings, territorial expansion, yaba trade, abduction, rape, gold smuggling, and illegal cigarette smuggling.
Moreover, heavy illegal arms are entering Bangladesh daily through the Myanmar border, ending up in the hands of terrorists in the Rohingya camps. Most recently, on May 18, two persons were arrested with military arms, grenades, cocktails, and foreign revolvers. Such raids continue almost every night. The country's intelligence agencies and experts believe Myanmar has a significant role behind these issues. They suggest Myanmar wants to portray the Rohingyas as killers and unruly on the world stage, ensuring the country will never take the Rohingyas back.
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of International Relations at Dhaka University and Executive Director of the Centre for Alternatives (CA), told The Daily Messenger, “Killings are happening repeatedly over territorial domination in the camps. Three people were killed yesterday (Monday) as well. Many are getting involved in terrible crimes like arms and drug trafficking. The longer they stay, the greater the security threat for us.”
“Having come temporarily, they are now getting involved in terrorist activities for territorial control. A kind of narco-state has been created there. Bangladesh needs to remain very alert diplomatically and in maintaining law and order. However, we need to deeply scrutinise whether there is any other motive behind these incidents.”
Former Ambassador and international analyst M. Humayun Kabir told The Daily Messenger, “We all know there are young boys in the camps. It is natural for them to fall into various temptations. Now it needs to be seen whether any quarter is deliberately exploiting them.”
“They have been here for seven years now. We are getting reports that they have become addicted to various drugs and arms during this period. If any motivation programmes can be arranged inside the camps, it would be good. At least some killings and violence may reduce. Otherwise, we have no option but to remain alert.”
“Even now, bullets and mortar shells are being fired from Myanmar into our localities, and some people have died. The entire camp area has become insecure and full of fear. We are going through an uncertain period until repatriation,” he added.
3 Rohingya killed, 7 injured in violent attack at Ukhiya camp: Three Rohingya have been killed and seven others injured in a violent clash over dominance at a refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
The incident occurred early on Monday at the Madhurchhara Camp 4 Extension, where members of the Myanmar-based insurgent group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launched the attack, according to Rohingya camp security personnel and local police.
The dead were identified as Md Iliyas, 31, Md Ishaq, 54, and Firoz Khan, 18.
Among the injured, three have been identified as Abdul Haque, 32, Abdus Shukkur, 55, and Abdul Monaf, 60.
Mohammad Iqbal, the commander of the 14 Armed Police Battalion said, “About 40-45 ARSA militants came from the hills to Camp 4 by crossing the barbed wire fence at the border. Iliyas was shot and stabbed fatally with a sharp weapon in the hands, legs, and abdomen. He died on the spot.”
“When other Rohingyas rushed to help, the militants opened fire randomly, injuring six more people. The injured were taken to the MSF Hospital near Kutupalong refugee camp and Cox's Bazar District Hospital.”
Commander Iqbal said that two more people were declared dead while receiving medical treatment.
“During the rescue operation, the ARSA militants fired at the APBn team. The police retaliated by firing 16 rounds to protect public property and life. At one stage, the militants fled the scene”, he said.
APBn Commander Mohammad Iqbal mentioned that ARSA militants are attempting to reorganise and carry out subversive activities in the camps, primarily to assert their dominance.
Shamim Hossen, inspector of Ukhiya Police Station stated that the bodies of the three dead Rohingya have been recovered and sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital Morgue for post-mortem examinations.
Legal measures are being taken in response to this incident, he added.
Messenger/Disha
