Exploitation: Rohingya man sells 7 cows at Tk 8,000

A small border hut in Ghumdum of Ukhia in Cox's Bazar was full of cattle and was offering cows at surprisingly low prices on Tuesday.

The traders were asking Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 for each cow, which, elsewhere in the country, would not be below Tk 30,000.

After asking a few people, the reason behind such low prices became clear: most of the animals came with the Rohingya refugees, who were persuaded or tricked into selling their cattle at unbelievably low prices.

“I brought seven cows from my home. But I had to sell those for only Tk 8,000,” said Moazzem Hossain, 35, at Ghumdum Bazar.

Moazzem was not in a position to bargain for a good price. Local traders and touts have all been united to buy these animals at as low a price as possible.

They tell the refugees that their animals are ill or unhealthy and will die if they do not sell them fast. On the other side, the refugees also urgently need the money.

Another refugee, Shamsul Alam, was much fortunate. Sitting near the bazar and staring at the animals that he sold to a local trader, Alam told The Daily Star that he got Tk 7,000 to Tk 8,000 for each of his cattle, which were all healthy and larger.

This correspondent met many Rohingya refugees along the Tomburu border of Ghumdum in Naikhangchhari, Kutupalong, Tangkhali, Balukhali and other places who were forced to sell their animals at unbelievably low prices.

There are refugees like Mohammad Ali who had all their luck turned against them. Ali used to lead an apparently well-off life back in Mongdu district of Rakhine State in Myanmar. But when all hell broke loose, he had to flee along with his large 16-member family.

All he could manage to bring with him were only two of his cattle, some clothes, some utensils and a little money. The family walked for four days through the forests and hills in Myanmar and finally crossed the Naf river and landed on Shahporir Dwip on September 7.

“We paid Tk 7,000 per person to the touts in Myanmar just to cross the Naf river,” said Ali, 50, in his Rohingya accent while talking to this correspondent. He even had to pay for the two animals he has brought with them.

Unfortunately, the perilous journey took a heavy toll on the poor cows. One died upon arrival and the other fell so sick that the family tearfully left her at the entry of Shahporir Dwip.

Even if the cows were healthy, Ali would probably face exploitation by local traders and touts and be forced to sell them at an unimaginably low price.