Rohingyas continue to enter Bangladesh through 25 points along Bangladesh-Myanmar border, causing serious problems for the local people at Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas in Cox’s Bazar district.
Most of Rohingyas entering the camps in the district later move to different places of the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram. A total 118,000 Rohingyas have been registered as intruders since 2023.
Felling of trees in hills to build settlements is posing serious threat to the environment and biodiversity. However, 4,000 acres of forestland have been recovered from Rohingyas.
The prices of essential commodities have also increased in the district due to an influx of Rohingyas, adding to people’s woes. Even Rohingyas are entering the labour market gradually. Though members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are trying their best to prevent infiltration, Rohingyas continue to enter Bangladesh as food and medicine crises hit them hard in Rakhine and inhuman torture by Arakan Army there.
Some infiltrators say that Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh through 25 points along Bangladesh-Myanmar border to save their lives as Arakan Army resorts to killings in Rakhine.
M Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of Palangkhali Union in Ukhiya, Secretary General of Rohingya Repatriation National Committee, said that Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh every day and night.
On arrival, he said, Rohingyas move to different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram. Poor Rohingyas usually take shelter at the residences of their relatives in Rohingya camps. Law and order is deteriorating in the area due to an influx of Rohingyas. As a result, the prices of goods are also rising in the market. This has put an extra burden on the local people.
Cox's Bazar Citizens Forum President A.N.M. Helal Uddin said, "Our forests are being destroyed because of Rohingyas. The environment and biodiversity are under threat today. Elephant corridors have been closed.”
Master Zubair, President of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanity, said that Arakan Army is torture Rohingyas throughout the entire Arakan province. In the last one week, 20 villages have been attacked under the pretext of sheltering ARSA, he added.
Engineer Helal Uddin, a UP member at Kutupalong in Ukhiya, said that Rohingyas are constantly entering the camp.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, president of Cox's Bazar Civil Society, said that they have given shelter to many Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds.
Cox's Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said, "Law and order has deteriorated in Cox's Bazar due to influx of Rohingyas. Rohingya are committing various crimes. They are kidnapping and demanding ransom."
Md. Nurul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer of Cox's Bazar South Forest Division, said that 12,164.2 acres of forestland was occupied to build Rohingya camps. But in the last two years, 4,000 acres of land have been recovered from there. Rohingya camps have been set up on 8,03 acres of land belonging to forest department, he said.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said that 118,000 Rohingyas have entered the country since 2023.
He said that the number of newly arrived Rohingyas has reached 118,000. They are now living in various camps in Cox's Bazar.
BGB Commander S.M Imrul Hasan said that BGB members are on vigil to prevent infiltration along the border. “We will not allow even a single infiltrator to enter Bangladesh. Regular patrols are being stepped up. Modern technology is currently being used to prevent infiltration.”
