Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The authorities have beefed up security and vigilance at refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar amid rising crimes and subversive activities inside the camps by Rohingyas.
The measures have put in place, as Rohingyas are rapidly involving in illegal drug trade, human trafficking, internal feud, killings and clash with the members of the law enforcement agencies.
At least 45 Rohingyas have been killed over the last eight months, as a result of internal feuds and gunfights with law enforcement personnel. Of these, 32 were killed during gunfights with the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Besides, at least 80 Rohingyas were held in the last five months for obtaining Bangladeshi passport with fake NID and birth certificates.
Sources said, the law and order situation has deteriorated at Ukhia and Teknaf in the past two years following uncertainty over the Rohingya repatriation.
Rohingya people may become involve more in criminal activities if the process is delayed further, they said.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Kamal Hossain told The New Nation yesterday that security measures have been strengthened in and around the Rohingya camps along with various measures to control law and order situation.
“The joint patrol by security forces have been intensified inside the camps in the last 24 hours. We have informed the camp in-charges and all concerned security agencies to remain careful to keep the law and order situation under control,” he added.
The authirities have already brought a drastic change in Rohingya management after withdrawing Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and seven in-charges of refugee camps. They have been withdrawn amid a massive Rohingya rally on August 25 and controversial activities of some NGOs over Rohingya repatriation scheduled on August 22.
When asked, Cox’ Bazar Deputy Commissioner Kamal Hossain said, “We are trying to identify the causes on how Rohingyas are using mobile phones in the camps getting SIM cards registered by the locals. Besides, investigations are also on to find out how Rohingyas obtained fake national identity card.”
Bangladesh is now hosting 1.1 million Rohingyas, who fled the Rakhine state to save themselves from the brutal military crackdown since August 25, 2017.
The local administration is facing a daunting challenge to manage such a big number of Rohingya populations amid growing security concern and waning donors interest in providing humanitarian support to Rohingyas.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (BTRC) on Monday ordered mobile phone operators to shut down mobile phone services to Rohingya refugees living in camps on security grounds.
“Criminal activities by Rohingyas will come down following the move,” Md Iqbal Hossain, additional Superintendent of Police (admin), Cox’s Bazar, told The New Nation yesterday.
He said, Rohingyas are mainly involved in drug (yaba) trafficking abusing mobile phone access to Myanmar.
A total of 471 criminal cases were filed against Rohingyas with local police stations in the last two years. Of them, 208 cases were related to yaba trade, according to Md Iqbal Hossain.
“We have intensified vigilance in and around the camps afresh so that Rohingyas cannot cause any deterioration in the law and order situation,” said Md Iqbal Hossain.
Brushing aside the allegation of growing crime rates at Rohingya camps, he said, “It is still low if we consider the number of Rohingya population. “But, we have taken zero tolerance stance against any crime.”
The police official further said that a total of 1128,529 Rohingya refugees are sheltered in 34 camps. Only 950 policemen at 7 camps and 7 check-posts are working round the clock to maintain law and order in the camps and ensure security of the huge number of refugees.
“Despite the limited resource, we are working hard to curb crime and ensure surveillance at Rohingy camps,” Iqbal Hossain added.
He, however, said that the authorities of Cox’s Bazar district police have recommended some ‘specific’ proposals to the Police Headquarters chalking out plans to properly maintain smooth law and order inside the camps.
Besides, members of BGB, RAB and Ansar have stepped up patrolling in the camps amid the authorities’ move to beef up security in and around the refugee camps.
