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Security beefed up around Rohingya camps


Published : 10 Apr 2022 09:39 PM | Updated : 10 Apr 2022 09:39 PM

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the government has instructed the law enforcement agencies alongside Bangladesh Army to strengthen patrol and vigilance activities around the Rohingya camps to main law and order strictly.

He said the Army, the BGB and the RAB will patrol outside the camps.

If necessary, law enforcement agencies will work in coordination with the army. If the operation is needed, the army will also take part in it, he added.

He said this while addressing a press briefing after the fourth meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management and Law Enforcement of Displaced Myanmar Citizens at his secretariat office in the capital.

Kamal said, "Illegal shops are being evicted from inside the Rohingya camps in Ukhia and Teknaf and eviction drives will be continued. The army is erecting a barbed wire fence around the Rohingya camps and 80 percent work has been completed."

The home minister said, observation towers have been built there, and road construction is near completion. " APBn men will be deployed on the towers so that none can leave the camp without permission,” he added.

He said the UNHCR was involved in verifying the information so that Rohingyas could not get Bangladeshi passports.

Kamal said the UNHCR database would be used to prevent displaced Myanmar nationals from collecting Bangladeshi passports.

"Those whose eyes and fingerprints have been taken are not getting passports. Some Rohingyas were here before, some fled later. We are keeping watchful eyes on them. UNHCR has their data. We will stop them taking passports with that information," he said.

About drug smuggling, Kamal said, "As far as we are concerned, there is a stockpile of drugs in the camp. We have caught some of them. Those involved will be arrested soon. We are taking strong measures to prevent drug trafficking inside and outside the camps."

He said strict measures have been taken to curb drug smuggling through the Naf River. "We are going to take tougher actions against the drug dealers."

Kamal said, "Birth rate in the camp area is alarming. We have received information that 35,000 new babies are born every year in Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps. We will request the health department and Islamic Foundation to encourage them to use birth control methods."