The violent activities of Rohingya refugees have created a tensed situation in Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas in Cox’s Bazaar. Being instigated by some local agents of different global extremist groups, Rohingyas are increasingly taking the path of violence. According to media reports around 43 Rohingyas have been killed in internal feuds; 32 Rohingya criminals killed in shooting rampage; 500 criminal cases have been filed against them and 59,000 Rohingyas have been arrested in last 23 months after they tried to flee the camps.
In a new move, the government is going to set up barbed wire-fencing surrounding all the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar with a view to keeping the Rohingyas under control and checking their unabated crimes. Sources said, the initiatives taken in the wake of unabated criminal activities by the Rohingyas are aimed at stopping their unabated criminal acts and also stopping their fleeing from the Rohingya camps. The barbed wire-fencing will be erected on three-foot high wall made of bricks, they added.
Official sources at the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) said, the RRRC authorities already have proposed the Bangladesh Army authorities to erect the 157-kilometre long wall surrounding all the seven camps at different places in Cox's Bazar. A team from the Bangladesh Army already has visited a refugee camps in Turkey.
As part of the initiatives, observation towers will be installed at different places surrounding the walls, and roads will be constructed for the patrolling purposes. Sources said, a Tk 31.9 million have already been allotted by the government for erecting the barbed wire-fencing. Apart from the erection of the barbed wire-fencing, the RRRC sources also said, joint camps comprising personnel from the Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will also be installed inside all the Rohingya camps.
Accordingly, the authorities are also considering the formation of two more Armed Police Battalions (APBn) to enhance the capacity of the security forces. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, as per the directives of the Prime Minister, initiatives for the erection of barbed wire-fence have been taken to stop the Rohingyas from fleeing the camps dodging the eyes of the law enforcers. The measures have also been taken so that they could not get involved in untoward incidents.
According to reports from different agencies, a section of Rohingya people sheltered in different camps are getting involved in various criminal acts like killing, rape, theft, abduction, extortion, human trafficking and drug peddling while others are trying to flee from the camps. Reports say that at least 43 Rohingya people were killed due to their internal feuds and also killed several Bangladeshis, including a leader of Bangladesh Jubo League in Teknaf, in last two years.
On the other hand, at least 32 Rohingyas, who were allegedly involved in various crimes, were killed in different shootout with police and RAB. Around 500 cases were filed with different local police stations against them for various criminal acts. Not only that, according to sources, in last 23 months, around 59,000 Rohingyas were arrested from different places of the country after they had fled the Rohingya camps while punitive measures have been taken against 515 people for their involvement with human trafficking.
The barbed wire-fencing on bricks wall will also ensure security to the Rohingya refugees as at least 12 Rohingyas were killed by wild elephants. Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, an additional supper of Cox's Bazar Police, said Rohingyas are trying to flee from the camps due to uncertainty over their repatriation process. Besides, they are getting involved in various types of criminal acts resulting in the deterioration of law and order situation in the area.
Mohammad Abdul Kalam, chairman of Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), said the barbed wire-fencing would not only prevent Rohingya from being trafficked but could help control their tendency of leaving the camps area. Around 11 lakhs of Rohingyas are under shelters in two camps at Ukhia and five camps at Teknaf in Cox's Bazar district. The camps are located within around 40 kilometers area.
