Law enforcers have detected at least five criminal gangs in Rohingya camps, who are involved in abduction, extortion, drug trading and human trafficking. The Rohingya gangs in camps are Haqim group, Salim group, Kamal Group, Jakir group and Kalim Group. Authorities said, in world’s largest refugee settlement in Kutupalong – Balukhali in Cox’s Bazaar, the South-eastern district of the country, these gangs are taking lives and causing loss of property and peace. Due to their anti-social activities there is an environment of panic and fear in Rohingya camps.
In response, government has increased deployment of law enforcers in the area and established security infrastructure around the camps. Recently a new battalion of elite force Rapid Action Battalion, RAB-15 has started operation in the Cox’s Bazaar region. Wing Commander Azim Ahmed, Commanding Officer of RAB-15 told Bangladesh Post, “We found at least five gangs active in Rohingya camps; their job is to collect money through kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking and human trafficking.”
“So long, the gangs have kidnapped and victimized the Rohingyas only, but now they are targeting the local community people as well. These Rohingya gangs have arms like rifle, pistol and local guns,” he added. He also said recently they kidnapped two local people but RAB rescued the victim from one camp and made some arrests in connection of the abduction.
Sources confirmed that Haqim Group and Jakir Group are active in camps of Teknaf upazila, Salim Group, Kamal Group and Kalim Group are active in Kutupalong and Balukhali regions in Ukhia. Many more crimes are being committed by these gangs in these camps but not all get reported to the police and other law enforces.
According to different agencies and camps sources, since August 2017, 46 Rohingyas were killed in camps, in which 26 were in Ukhia and 20 in Teknaf sub-district. Moreover, 16 Rohingyas were killed in gunfight with law enforcers in Teknaf in recent months. Over 200 incidents took place and around 1000 Rohingyas have been arrested in this period.
Police said, many Rohingyas don’t dare to open up about the abuse of these gangs. A 25 year old Rohingya man was kidnapped from Jamtali camp area of Palongkhali union of Ukhia in November 2018. He told this reporter, “I was kidnapped and taken to another camp. After that, my family members freed me by paying TK 20 thousand.”
When asked to reveal the identity of the kidnappers, the young man said, “If I reveal their identity, they may kill me. They collect money from shops and markets inside the camps.” “These criminal gangs in the camps are always in competition. Sometimes they engage in in-fighting with one another with guns,” said Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, In-Charge of mega Kutupalong – Balukhali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. “There are five police posts in the camps and another five to be setup soon, but police can’t move everywhere in camps as there are no roads, even walkways,” he added.
Nahid Adnan Additional police super of Ukhia circle of Cox’s Bazar district said, “Despite many hardships, police and other law enforcers have made some arrests and we are also taking various measures to keep law and order inside the camps. “ Around one million Rohingyas from Myanmar are living in Bangladesh. More than 700 thousand crossed the border after 25 August, 2017.
Mohammad Abul Kalam, Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Cox’s Bazaar told this correspondent, “There is shortage of camps. The roads and other infrastructures are in bad shape. Some elements always try to influence Rohingyas. But, several steps are being taken to strengthen the camp's security. If these steps are implemented properly, life of the refugee Rohingyas will be more comfortable.
