Police checking Rohingya spread

Amid escalating concern that the Rohingyas might spread out across the country, Bangladesh Police has instructed its members to remain alert and take every possible measure to stop the spread.

Police headquarters on September 10 issued an order on the superintendents of police in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and Chittagong, additional inspector general of Special Branch, director general of Rapid Action Battalion and commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police to take necessary measures, officials said.

In the order, three SPs have especially been asked to intensify surveillance on road, water and airways so that the Rohingyas, fleeing from violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar, cannot move from Cox's Bazar to other parts of the country.

Law enforcers have also been asked to update the list of the newly arrived refugees and remain alert to ensure that Rohingya women do not fall victim to sexual harassment. Also, they were asked to ensure that none of the Rohingyas get involved in smuggling or any other criminal activities.

The headquarters has also instructed police to make necessary security arrangements in and around the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.

“We have already received such instructions from the police headquarters and accordingly, we have increased the number of police and surveillance in the district…,” AKM Iqbal Hossain, SP of Cox's Bazar, told the news agency yesterday.

Seven check-posts have been set up surrounding the Rohingya camp, he said. They have also instructed the concerned road and water transport authorities and airways.

The SP, however, opined that it is impossible for police alone to stop Rohingyas from spreading out across the country. “We need support of people...”

Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the government has alerted the law enforcement agencies to remain alert in this regard.

He also said, “The government will allocate 2,000 acres of land in Cox's Bazar's Kutupalong area to open a new camp for the newly arrived Rohingyas.”

“If needed, we will allot more land to accommodate the refugees. We have allotted the land to keep the refugees in one place so they could not scatter across the country.”

Besides, the government has a plan to introduce special identity cards for the new Rohingyas. But, the refugees will have to go through a registration process for obtaining the special ID cards.

The Passport Directorate has started making lists of the refugees to this end.