ROHINGYA CRISIS

Govt wary of likely militant influence

“Rohingyas may fall prey to the influence of militant groups in their last-ditch effort to survive”

The government fears that the Rohingya refugees staying at different Cox’s Bazar camps may be influenced by various militant groups and resort to criminal or militant activities for survival. They may fall prey to the influence of different militant groups in their last-ditch effort to survive, says a home ministry report. The report has been forwarded to the foreign ministry, the inspector general of police (IGP), and the directors general (DGs) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. It has asked the authorities concerned to follow a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for the Rohingyas so that no extremist and militant groups can influence them to commit crimes.

“The authorities should take steps to diplomatically pressurise the Myanmar government to take back their citizens within the shortest possible time,” it says.

“A security net has to be built inside the permanent and temporary camps in Cox’s Bazar to prevent militant groups from reaching the Rohingyas,” it adds.

“Finally, the authorities are urging law enforcement agencies to put on high alert in and around the camps to constantly monitor the Rohingyas,” the report states.

More than 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees living in filthy and squalid camps in Bangladesh will be in grave danger from landslides when monsoon begins. “Humanitarian partners are now building necessary infrastructure in challenging conditions with extremely limited space,” according to a UN report.

More than 100 hills are being used by the refugees for temporary accommodation in Kutipalong, Palingkhali, Unchipara and other locations on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

According to some media reports, 214 Rohingya villages in Myanmar’s Rakhine state have been completely destroyed.

Secretary of the Public Security Division of Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal Uddin told The Independent that they have already asked

the law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps in and outside the Rohingya camps so that any vested quarters and any terror group cannot communicate with the Rohigyas staying at the camps in Cox’s Bazar.

“So far, we know, our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the activities of Rohingays and other people around the camps,” he said.

Talking to The Independent, Additional Superintendent of Police (Ukhiya Circle) of Cox’s Bazar Chainlao Marma said that intelligence agencies were keeping a sharp watch on the activities of Rohingas to ensure foolproof security at the camps in Cox’s Bazar. “…Even foreigners cannot enter the Rohingya camps without permission of the local administration and no one, excepting for law enforcing agency members, can enter the camps from 5pm to 6am,” he said. The additional SP further said: About 1,000 policemen and a number of members from different intelligence agencies have been deployed in and around of the camps.

“We have already set up a number of temporary check-posts at different entry and exit points in Cox’s Bazaar to check any sort of criminal activities,” he said.  At least 7,00,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown on the Rakhine State since August 25 last year totaling the number to about 11 lakh.

ROHINGYA CRISIS

Govt wary of likely militant influence

“Rohingyas may fall prey to the influence of militant groups in their last-ditch effort to survive”

The government fears that the Rohingya refugees staying at different Coxs Bazar camps may be influenced by various militant groups and resort to criminal or militant activities for survival. They may fall prey to the influence of different militant groups in their last-ditch effort to survive, says a home ministry report. The report has been forwarded to the foreign ministry, the inspector general of police (IGP), and the directors general (DGs) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. It has asked the authorities concerned to follow a zero tolerance policy for the Rohingyas so that no extremist and militant groups can influence them to commit crimes. The authorities should take steps to diplomatically pressurise the Myanmar government to take back their citizens within the shortest possible time, it says. A security net has to be built inside the permanent and temporary camps in Coxs Bazar to prevent militant groups from reaching the Rohingyas, it adds. Finally, the authorities are urging law enforcement agencies to put on high alert in and around the camps to constantly monitor the Rohingyas, the report states. More than 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees living in filthy and squalid camps in Bangladesh will be in grave danger from landslides when monsoon begins. Humanitarian partners are now building necessary infrastructure in challenging conditions with extremely limited space, according to a UN report. More than 100 hills are being used by the refugees for temporary accommodation in Kutipalong, Palingkhali, Unchipara and other locations on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. According to some media reports, 214 Rohingya villages in Myanmars Rakhine state have been completely destroyed. Secretary of the Public Security Division of Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal Uddin told The Independent that they have already asked the law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps in and outside the Rohingya camps so that any vested quarters and any terror group cannot communicate with the Rohigyas staying at the camps in Coxs Bazar. So far, we know, our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the activities of Rohingays and other people around the camps, he said. Talking to The Independent, Additional Superintendent of Police (Ukhiya Circle) of Coxs Bazar Chainlao Marma said that intelligence agencies were keeping a sharp watch on the activities of Rohingas to ensure foolproof security at the camps in Coxs Bazar. Even foreigners cannot enter the Rohingya camps without permission of the local administration and no one, excepting for law enforcing agency members, can enter the camps from 5pm to 6am, he said. The additional SP further said: About 1,000 policemen and a number of members from different intelligence agencies have been deployed in and around of the camps. We have already set up a number of temporary check-posts at different entry and exit points in Coxs Bazaar to check any sort of criminal activities, he said. At least 7,00,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown on the Rakhine State since August 25 last year totaling the number to about 11 lakh.