10.38 lakh Rohingyas registered so far
Registration of 10.38 lakh Rohingyas has been completed so far and they will not be able to carry Bangladeshi passports or National Identity Cards anymore.
The immigration and passport department yesterday at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban informed this to the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs.
In the meeting, the parliamentary watchdog asked the home ministry officials to complete fencing around all the 35 Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar immediately to ensure security for the locals and Rohingyas.
Besides, the fencing will also prevent them from spreading out, getting involved in criminal activities or even altercations with locals.
“We have also asked the ministry officials to prepare a digital mapping of all the Rohingya camps,” Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam, a member of the committee, present at the meeting, told The Daily Star.
Asked, he said the passport department informed them that after completion of the registration of 10.38 lakh Rohingyas, the information was incorporated in the government's database. “Therefore they won't be able to get Bangladeshi passports or NID cards as it had happened in the past,” he also said.
There are allegations that many Rohingyas managed to get Bangladeshi passport by unfair means, and went to Saudi Arabia. The JS committee also expressed concern as a number of Rohingyas in different areas in Cox's Bazar outnumbered the locals. The JS body therefore recommended relocating several lakh Rohingyas to Sonadia Island under Hatia, Noakhali.
Asked, Fakhrul Imam said the locals, who once welcomed the Rohingyas, are now annoyed due to their prolonged stay as they (Rohingyas) are putting pressure on their (locals) livelihoods and causing environmental degradation.
The committee recommended ensuring alternative fuel arrangement for the Rohingyas to save the environment.
They also asked the home ministry to form a special police station for the security of the Rohingya.
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