Conflict in Rakhine: 300 Rohingyas wait to enter Bangladesh

At least 300 Rohingyas have been waiting to enter Bangladesh after the rebel Arakan Army (AA) claimed to have full control of Rakhine's Maungdaw district, which includes the entire 270km of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, according to locals and other sources at the border.

They said the Rohingyas, faced with an extreme food crisis and forced labour, have been gathering in the hilly areas of Rakhine, opposite the Bandarban border.

Those living in Cox's Bazaar refugee camps said the Rohingyas across the border are now being pressured by the AA to leave Myanmar, and many have already entered Bangladesh recently.

The AA, who on December 8 claimed to have full control of the border, has imposed restrictions on the Myanmar side of the Naf River, which divides the countries, making it inaccessible to any Myanmar citizen.

On the other side, the Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard are on high alert, with round-the-clock surveillance near and on the river.

Colonel Mahmudul Hasan, BGB sector commander of Ramu sector, said, "We have information that some Rohingyas have gathered on the other side to enter Bangladesh. We have beefed up security and patrols near the border and even on the river to prevent illegal infiltration."

Amid tight security, Rohingyas from Maungdaw have been heading to the northwest of the district, which is opposite to Bandarban's Naikhongchhari, border sources said, adding that over 350 of them are currently hiding in the hilly forest there. 

The Daily Star has seen a video of the Rohingyas there but could not independently verify its authenticity.

Mosharraf, who came to Bangladesh from Maungdaw after the AA launched a brutal attack on Rohingyas in August this year, said he has information that Rohingyas on the other side of the border are being frequently tortured by rebels.

"They have no money to buy food, the prices of which have skyrocketed. A 50kg sack of rice now costs 200,000 Myanmar Kyat [around Tk 6,200]."

Mosharraf, who has been living in the Kutupalong camp, also said some Rohingyas have crossed the border recently.

Some of the Rohingyas, who recently entered Bangladesh, said they had to come in the face of extreme food crisis and restrictions on their movement in Rakhine.

Seeking anonymity, they said brokers are taking around 15 lakh Myanmar Kyat (Tk 85,348.51) to sneak them into Bangladesh, while the AA is also charging them to cross the border.

Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, chief of the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission, said they also heard that some Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh after the AA claimed to have captured the entire border.

He added that around 67,000 Rohingyas have entered the country since November 2023. "There may, however, be some cases of duplication."