There is growing concern along the border of Cox’s Bazar over a fresh infiltration of several thousand Rohingyas into Bangladesh in a week.
Several thousands are also waiting on the border following heavy clashes between the Myanmar military and the rebel Arakan Army in Maungdaw in Rakhine State.
Multiple border sources say that some 14,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter in various camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya in the past seven to eight days.
Another 60,000 to 70,000 Rohingyas have gathered at the Maungdaw border and have been waiting to enter Bangladesh with the assistance middlemen, causing a serious concern among the locals.
Dhaka has reaffirmed its stance that it cannot take in any more Rohingyas, urging nations and organisations advocating for further intake to shoulder the responsibility themselves.
“We have clearly informed the UNHCR that we are unable to accept additional Rohingyas,” said Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain while talking to reporters at the foreign ministry on Sunday.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Adnan Chowdhury told reporters that there are cases of Rohingya infiltration through various border points.
“Many Rohingyas are being sent back to Myanmar from the Naf River during their attempt to enter
Bangladesh. Patrols along the river and border have been intensified to prevent further infiltrations,” he said.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Joint Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said that as of Sunday evening, 12,000 to 14,000 Rohingyas had taken shelter in camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya.
The newly arrived Rohingyas are staying with relatives (previously settled Rohingyas) in the camps.
Among them, there are also Rohingyas who have been injured in the conflict. Medical treatment is being provided to them in the camps. No decision has been made regarding the accommodation of the new arrivals. Bangladesh, already struggling by sheltering 12.5 lakhs Rohingyas, has expressed concern over the fresh round of influx and urged the international communities to play roles in resolving the crisis.
Locals at the bordering areas claim that the Rohingyas are trying to enter Bangladesh through 30 points.
Nur Hossain, chairman of Teknaf’s Sabrang Union Parishad, mentioned that during the day, Rohingyas stay near the border, and at night, they cross into Bangladesh with the help of brokers. Daily, a varying number of Rohingyas are entering the country.
In recent days, large groups of Rohingyas have crossed the Naf River from Maungdaw into Bangladesh.
They are using brokers to take board on boats and cross the Teknaf border, seeking refuge in various camps within the district.
According to sources, the Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh through at least 30 points, including Jadimura, Damdamiya, Keruntoli, Baraitali, Naitongpara, Jaliapara, Nazirpara, Maulvipara, Nayapara, Sabrang, Shah Porir Dwip, Mistiripara, and Gholarchar along the Teknaf coast, as well as Balukhali and Ghumdhum border points in Ukhiya.
Several Rohingya leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that brokers are charging a handsome amount of money from newly arriving Rohingyas to facilitate their entry into Bangladesh.
Mohammad Zakir, who fled Myanmar last Friday, took refuge in Camp-1 in Cox’s Bazar.
While sharing his experience this correspondent, Zakir said he along with his family members waited on the border for the two days before the entry to Bangladesh border.
He said they managed to cross the border and took shelter at the camp on Friday by evading border patrols.
M Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, chairman of Ukhiya’s Palang Khali Union Parishad, said that brokers are assisting Rohingyas in crossing into Bangladesh through 30 border points, bypassing BGB and Coast Guard patrols.
While some Rohingyas are entering refugee camps, many are renting homes in different areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf.
Currently, an estimated 70,000 Rohingyas are gathered along the Rakhine border, with the largest group concentrated at Parangparu on the Myanmar side of the Whykong border.
He added, “Since the government collapsed on August 5, Rohingyas have been entering Bangladesh daily, exploiting the absence of law enforcement. Brokers are charging Tk 20,000 to 30,000 per person to arrange their entry.”
At present, 12.5 lakh registered Rohingyas reside in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Of these, 800,000 arrived in the months following August 25, 2017. Over the past seven years, not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar.
Sources said that the ongoing war in Maungdaw Township of Rakhine state has intensified over the past few days. From Sunday evening to Monday morning, clashes between government forces and the Arakan Army (AA) continued.
The Arakan Army is determined to capture two barracks (battalions) of the army and Border Guard Police (BGP) stationed in Maungdaw Town. Alongside gunfire, both sides are using mortar shells, grenades, and bombs, with occasional drone attacks.
The Arakan Army has occupied five villages near Maungdaw Town—Sudhapara, Mongnipara, Sikdarpora, Ukilpara, and Nurullapara—displacing 50,000 to 60,000 Rohingyas. Currently, over 300,000 Rohingyas are residing in Rakhine state, including Maungdaw and its surrounding areas.
Currently, 12.5 lakh registered Rohingyas reside in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Of these, 800,000 arrived in the months following August 25, 2017. Over the past seven years, not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar.
