Rohingya camps becoming hotspots for crime, violence

Staff Reporter :
The widespread criminal activities within the Rohingya camps, despite law enforcement’s efforts to contain them, are presenting significant challenges to maintaining law and order in the surrounding areas.

Unless repatriation efforts commence, these camps could potentially evolve into hotspots for future terror activities, further exacerbating the situation.

A significant portion of the Rohingya residing in the camps is involved in crimes such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, violence, assault, weapon possession, drug trafficking, and theft, sources said.

The gradual escalation of criminal incidents presents new challenges for maintaining control over the Rohingyas who have been caught up in a cycle of crime and violence within six years since their exodus.

According to information from Cox’s Bazar district police, there have been 115 incidents of murder within the Rohingya camps between August 25, 2017, and September 22, 2022.

In the first seven months of the current year until July 7, at least 59 deaths have occurred due to clashes and incidents of violence in the Rohingya refugee camps.

Crime has been escalating in the Rohingya camps, causing concern among both the local residents and those living near the troubled camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Recently, in the Balukhali Rohingya camp, six individuals were killed in clashes between two extremist groups. During the clashes, five people were killed on the spot.

Later, in the evening, the body of another person was recovered from a pond.

One more person, critically injured, was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. Following such incidents, an atmosphere of tension has enveloped the Rohingya camp areas.

It has been reported that there is a rivalry and conflict between ARSA and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) for control over the Rohingya camps.

According to a source, there are 32 armed extremist groups active in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

These camps are believed to house over five thousand armed militants, with more than two hundred thousand non-combatant supporters.

Both the police and local residents have noted that the prevailing patterns of criminal activities are progressively destabilising the situation. Over time, the deteriorating law and order conditions within and around the camps have contributed to this concerning trend.

They said that the international community should immediately come forward to repatriating the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar to save this region from the looming crime zones.

In addition to engaging in criminal activities such as drug trade, abduction, and extortion, the Rohingya community has also gained a foothold in the local job markets.

This presence is exerting considerable pressure on the livelihoods of the local workforce, as Rohingya individuals offer their labour at lower wages compared to regular workers.

Reports from Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya, and Teknaf show that the Rohingya have engaged in significant activities involving rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, battery-operated rickshaws (locally known as “tomtom”), Mahindra vehicle drivers, food and residential hotels, rural infrastructure development projects, fishing boats, various types of transportation, and business ventures.

Furthermore, the Rohingya population is growing annually, with new arrivals increasing the pressure on both local resources and international donors supporting the camps.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that around 90 to 100 children are born daily in the Rohingya camps.

According to the Rohingya National Task Force, after August 25, 2017, around 1.2 million Rohingya are present in Bangladesh. However, more than 45,000 newborns are being added to the camps every year.

One Rohingya leader mentioned that due to the lack of a long-term solution, many Rohingya believe they won’t be repatriated and have found stability in residing permanently in these camps.

He further informed that violence, including killings, is occurring in the camps due to clashes between armed groups sanctioned by the Myanmar military.

Rohingya businessmen, involved in the illicit trade of Yaba.

An NGO worker noted that humanitarian workers do not feel safe because of the volatile situation among the Rohingya.

The situation has intensified with the rise of smuggling, illegal weapons, killings, extortion, and abductions. Ordinary Rohingya claim that during the dark of night, certain miscreants in the camp engage in chaotic activities.

There have been instances of dominance-based violence, sexual assault, attacks against opponents, and even murders.

According to the information provided by the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), there have been 173 incidents of murder in the 33 Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar over the past five years. This includes regular Rohingya residents, community leaders, and volunteers.

Law enforcement agencies report that many involved in drug trafficking are now members of kidnapping syndicates. Kidnapped individuals are being kept in the camps instead of being taken to the hills or jungles as before.

Operations are being conducted in various camps, leading to the recovery of 380 firearms and the arrest of 168 individuals.

At the same time, more than 2.6 million yaba tablets and 29 kilograms of ice have been seized from 779 Rohingya individuals.

Apart from this, in 18 cases related to the abduction of 136 Rohingya, 29 individuals have been sent to jail through the court system.

In order to enhance surveillance, drone cameras and watchtowers have been installed in the Rohingya refugee camp.

Despite these surveillance efforts, controlling criminal activities remains a significant challenge, police said.

In the latest development concerning Rohingya repatriation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed government engagement with China, acting as a mediator to address the crisis.

However, the international community, including the United States, asserts that suitable conditions for Rohingya repatriation have not been established yet.

Against this backdrop, experts and local residents have indicated that until the crisis is effectively resolved, prospects for a peaceful environment in the Rohingya camps remain uncertain in the foreseeable future.