Spreading militancy not possible

Police are building awareness among locals and Rohingya refugees so that no militant outfit can propagate militancy in the guise of providing relief, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said yesterday.

“Alongside surveillance by law enforcers and intelligence agencies, we are making locals and Rohingyas aware… I don't think any such ill-motivated effort to propagate militancy is possible,” he said while addressing a press conference on law and order situation at police headquarters.

The police chief said Bangladesh won't allow its soil to be used as a breeding ground for militants and subsequently carry out attacks on neighbouring countries.

In an attempt to flee persecution in Myanmar, more than 4,00,000 members of ethnic Rohingya minority sought refuge in Bangladesh over the past three weeks.

The latest influx of Rohingya refugees was triggered by Myanmar army's response to insurgent attacks on 30 police posts and an army base in the country's Rakhine state on August 25.

According to the refugees now sheltered in Cox's Bazar, the Myanmar security forces have been killing unarmed men, raping women and torching their houses.

The IGP during the conference said any distribution of relief materials has to go through the office of local administration and an officer of the administration would oversee the relief distribution.

To ensure no harmful items are sent to the refugee camps, police will conduct inspection of the relief materials that are being received from home and abroad, the IGP said in response to a query.

Stressing the need for restricting the movements of the refugees, Shahidul said it was for their own good since they would have to be registered to get identity cards for receiving proper assistance and aid.

If the refugees fan out, they will become illegal immigrants and law enforcers will be forced to arrest them, the police boss warned.

So far, police held over 200 Rohingya refugees from across the country, he said. “We did not detain them. Instead, [we] returned them to Rohingya camps out of humanitarian consideration.”

Replying to another query regarding the arrest of two foreign journalists, the IGP said the two were arrested for violating immigration rules -- they entered Bangladesh as tourists, but were working as journalists.

During the briefing, the IGP also informed that stringent security measures were being taken to ensure a smooth and peaceful celebration of the upcoming Durga Puja and Ashura.