‘We have to re-strategise refugee camp management’

With at least seven Rohingyas, including three of the community leaders killed last month, police have started a combing operation to bring back peace in Cox's Bazar refugee camps. So far, at least 75 Rohingyas have been arrested in the drive called "Operation Root Out" that started on October 29. But why did law and order deteriorate there in the first place? What should be the next steps? In an interview, Maj Gen ANM Muniruzzaman (retd), president of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, shared his views about the issue with The Daily Star yesterday.

TDS: Police have started a combing operation in the camps after some recent killings. Why did these killings take place and who might be involved?

Muniruzzaman: Law and order deteriorated in the camps as Rohingyas got involved in criminal activities like illegal drug trade and human trafficking. Though no evidence has been presented yet, it is assumed that when these types of crimes take place, there is a possibility of small arms trafficking. Then there are gang wars. Besides, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) has established some communications in the camp.

Amid all these complex equations, there has been a power struggle in the camps. You can notice that it is the majhis (community leaders) who are mostly being killed. All these are security threats for us.

Statistics from the police database show some 2,441 cases have been filed over crimes at the refugee camps from August 25, 2017, to August 20, 2022, against some 5,226 Rohingyas. Of the cases, 185 are over arms, 1,644 are drug cases, 88 rape, 115 murder and 39 over abduction.

TDS: What should be the steps to deal with the situation?

Muniruzzaman: We have to rethink the overall management and administrative strategies for the refugee camps. The Rohingyas have been living in this country for years and time for providing humanitarian support has already elapsed.

They are long-stay refugees, and the management for long-stay refugees is different. We have to re-strategise it. For instance, proper education needs to be provided in the camps. If the youths remain idle, they can engage in different types of crimes -- which we are witnessing now.

TDS: Law enforcers sometimes mention Arsa's presence and sometimes not. Is this not creating any problems?

Muniruzzaman: We have to practically see what problems are there. … Arsa is present and they are getting involved in different types of criminal activities. It is the police who spoke about the presence of Arsa and its involvement in killings.

Photo: Reuters

TDS: What will be the risk for Bangladesh in the absence of proper steps?

Muniruzzaman: Bangladesh will be at big risk… it has already been at risk … Rohingyas are getting involved in clashes with locals. Other criminal activities are also taking place. Rohingyas are violating restrictions imposed at different times.