Rohingya refugee camps: Killings on the rise, gangs on the prowl

Rohingya crime gangs have resorted to murder, abduction and extortion to establish their supremacy at Cox's Bazar refugee camps and control drug trades.

They are especially targeting the Rohingya youths and community leaders (known as majhis) and also those who are raising voice against crimes or helping the authorities identify the gang members.

At least seven Rohingyas have been killed this month alone and 14 in four months since June this year.

Around 2,441 cases have been filed over crimes at the refugee camps from  August 25, 2017, to August 20, 2022, against around 5,226 Rohingyas, according to police database.

Of the cases, 185 are over arms, 1,644 are drug cases, 88 rape cases, 115 murder and 39 over abduction.

A section of the refugees and security experts said Rohingya insurgent organisation Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) is behind these crimes though the government denies its existence in Bangladesh.

Some criminals often falsely identify themselves as Arsa operatives to intimidate the general refugees, the authorities say.

Police officials say the gangs that were active in Myanmar are now engaged in crimes at the camps. There are around 14 such gangs, they claim.

Asked about the sudden rise in the killings, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, refugee relief and repatriation commissioner (RRRC), said, "Some gangs have taken shelter at the refugee camps since the conflicts flared up in Myanmar recently."

There have been shelling and heavy gunfire in Myanmar over the last two months as tensions between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army escalated into violent conflicts in Rakhine State and southern Chin State.

"We have talked to the home minister to decide what needs to be done at the camps. We are now making a list of criminals to bring them to book," said the commissioner.

"Besides, we have also held a meeting with the Armed Police Battalion [APBn] and the security agencies for a concerted effort to curb the criminal activities as there are some inaccessible areas across the camps."

Yesterday, two Rohingyas were killed at Camp No 17 in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar.

"Criminal gangs killed the two after dragging them out of their houses around 4:00am," said Sayed Harun Or Rashid, additional deputy inspector general of APBn-14.

The deceased are identified as Ayatullah, 40, and Mohammad Yeasin, 30.

About the presence of Arsa, Harun said he would not be able to name any criminal gang. "But the gangs that were active in Myanmar are now operating at the camps. They want to establish supremacy to take control of drug trade."

Earlier on October 15, two Rohingya community leaders, Mohammad Anwar, 38, and Mohammad Yunus, 35, were stabbed to death by unknown assailants at Block-F at Balukhali refugee camp.

On October 26, another community leader, Mohammad Jasim, 25, was shot dead at the same camp.

KILLED, ABDUCTED FOR RAISING VOICE

Family members of the Rohingyas killed by criminals are also passing days in fear as the gangs kill people even in reprisal for seeking justice.

Take the case of Syed Hossain, 23. He was killed on October 18 at Camp No 19 for helping police to find out the killers of his father Jamil Hossain who was stabbed to death a few months back, said locals and law enforcers.

Some clandestine torture cells were also built inside the camps where they held people hostage.

The Daily Star managed to talk to least three youths, who raised voice against the gangs and eventually fled the camp in the wake of targeted killings.

Nur Sadek, a 20-year-old resident of Camp No 26 in Cox's Bazar, is one of them.

Sadek, the author of the book "Scars: Poet of a Genocide Survivor", said, "I had to flee the camp and went to Malaysia illegally in June this year after being tortured by Arsa."

In October last year, after the killing of Mohib Ullah, the chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), Sadek received a phone call from a "commander of Arsa".

"The commander asked for positive publicity and Tk two lakh to buy weapons," he claimed. "But I refused to do it."

This denial resulted in the abduction of Sadek on October 4 last year. "Some people blindfolded me and took me to a room," Sadek added.

"I saw blood there when the blindfold was removed," he said.

Sadek was then forced to express allegiance to Arsa on camera.

"They made me wear their uniform and hold a gun and then they made a video of me saying, "I have joined Arsa; Arsa is doing good. Join Arsa!'"

Two days later, they have asked for Tk 20 lakh when he was still in captivity.

"But I said I don't have that much amount. But they let me go only after my family paid them Tk two lakh in cash and promised to pay the rest in instalments."

He added, "Released after three days, I have decided to flee away."

Amin Whing, a leader of ARSPH, said they are passing days in insecurity as the actual killer of Mohib Ullah was never arrested.

Major General (retired) ANM Moniruzzaman, security analyst and president of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, told The Daily Star that recently the Arsa has stepped up its activities, which is not only a threat to camps but also a challenge for Bangladesh security.

"If the group can gain a foothold at the camps, many other groups will be encouraged. We have to increase intelligence gathering as well as surveillance activities and find out their cross-boundary connections to make sure the camps are stable," he added.

Md Faruk Ahmmed, assistant superintendent of APBn-8, said they will continue to take steps to ensure security for the families of the deceased.

He suggested the families inform the police of any threats so that they can take action.