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Editorial

Criminal gangs in Rohingya camps

The sooner they go back the better


Bangladeshpost
Published : 26 Jun 2019 06:30 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 01:09 PM

It is alarming news that a number of criminal gangs are active in the Rohingya camps carrying out various anti-social activities like drug peddling, abduction, extortion and trafficking. What is disturbing is the fact that so long the Rohingya criminals used to operate only in the camps but recently they have started to venture out and targeting even local Bengali people. Some such victims have been rescued by the police and Rab from their hideouts.

Very recently, law enforcers have detected at least five criminal gangs in Rohingya camps, who are known as Haqim group, Salim group, Kamal Group, Jakir group and Kalim Group. 

Authorities said these gangs roam the refugee settlements across Cox’s Bazaar and often get involved in deadly fights with others. Because of their reckless behavior there is an environment of panic and fear in Rohingya camps.  


As long as the Rohingyas are not

taken back by Myanmar, we have to 

remain extra vigilant about

 these criminal gangs


The criminals are setting bad examples before the young boys and girls in the camps, many of whom might get attracted to join these gangs for earning quick money. It is most likely that the members of these gangs have strong connection with the community elders who maintain useful connection with a section of corrupt law enforcers and political elements to get help when needed.    

We appreciate that the law enforcing agencies have increased deployment of personnel in the area and established security infrastructure around the camps. Recently a new battalion of elite force Rapid Action Battalion, RAB-15 has started operation in the Cox’s Bazaar region.

There is no denying that law and order must be maintained in and around the Rohingya camps so that the criminal gangs do not spread out and take entire Cox’s Bazaar under their control. As long as the Rohingyas are not taken back by Myanmar, we have to remain extra vigilant about these criminal gangs.