Police yesterday detained 101 Rohingyas for fleeing the refugee camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar.

They were held near Ukhiya Degree College next to the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf highway between 11:00am and 1:00pm, said Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya Police Station.

Police have started strict surveillance to prevent the refugees from fleeing the camps.

"Many Rohingyas leave camps dodging security personnel. Later, at a convenient time, they attempt to trespass into foreign territory. The police have started a special drive since September 16 to prevent that from happening," the OC added.

Ukhiya police and Armed Police Battalion conducted the first joint drive.

On Monday, police detained 113 Rohingyas and later handed them over to the camp authorities.

Among yesterday's detainees, 40 were sent back to their camps, and 61 were taken to Ukhiya Police Station for quizzing.

"If no criminal charges are found against their names, they will also be sent back to their camps," the OC said.

The operation followed a meeting of the National Committee on Security and Management of the Displaced Rohingya Citizens of Myanmar Sheltered in Bangladesh held recently.

The meeting made some decisions, including strengthening law enforcement supervision and surveillance to ensure that registered Rohingyas living in camps cannot leave at will.

In view of that decision, police have started a special operation.