Dhaka, Aug 26 – Law enforcers are alert in maintaining peaceful situation in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar as tension may rise due to the delay of repatriation of these displaced persons who have been staying here for over two years.
Besides, they will remain alert for different previous incidents like drug dealings and gun fighting with the law enforces which led to killing of several people including the Rohingya persons.
Law enforcement sources said they have reports that dissatisfaction is brewing among the local people in the area as they are facing various problems due to the long stay of the Rohingyas.
Even the government is not taking the huge rally in a good manner which marked August 25 as Genocide Day organised by the Rohingyas inside their camps.
About the rally foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on a private television on Sunday night said, “I don’t see this in a good manner. We gave them shelter on humanitarian ground. They cannot make us hostage. They will realise their demands after going to their own country.”
He also said, “We left many things on Rohingya’s willingness. We earlier decided that they would not be sent forcefully. But now we have to thing other things. Myanmar agreed to take them back. Myanmar government told us their rights would be ensured after their return. But now we have to think in a different way so that they can return and realise their demands there.”
On the occasion of marking the two years of their influx into Bangladesh after being persecuted by Myanmar Army, the Rohingyas reiterated their demands they would not to return unless their five-point demands including citizenships, safety and security in their place of origin are not met before repatriation.
But the delaying of their repatriation which failed two times first in 2018 and next on was on August 22 is brewing a kind of suppressed feelings among the local people as they think they have badly been affected in their lives and livelihood after the shelter of Rohingya here.
Besides, the untoward incidents of fighting and killing inside the camps have also become the question of how to tackle the law and order in the upcoming days.
Over the last eight months, at least 45 Rohingya people were killed due to internal feuds and gun fighting with the law enforcers. Of these, number 32 were killed during gun fight with police and BGB.
Even a Rohingya youth, who was accused in a murder case of local Juba League leader, was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with police in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar yesterday.
The involvement of Rohingya persons with the local people in such mishaps is generating growing tensions among the locals, sources said.
Law enforcers said they are always alert in tackling such incidents.
Superintendent of police of Cox’s Bazar ABM Masud Hossain told Journalists yesterday: “There is discontent among the local people for the presence of Rohingya as they are being affected for different reasons. We have the matter in mind. Besides, there are incidents of gun fighting and killing inside the camps. We are alert on this matter.”
“Our forcers are always ready to maintain law and order situation. Though we have shortage of manpower but we are continuing our efforts,” he added.
Asked about if the Rohingyas took permission from them for holding the Rohingya rally on August 25, he said, “They did not directly ask permission from us. They took permission from Rohingya, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC).”
“RRRC looks the matters inside the camps. We only assist them with our forces. We deployed additional forces on the occasion of the rally,” he added.
After the failure of the second attempt of the repatriation on August 22 in presence of UNHCR, RRRC and Chinese and Myanmar representatives, now the question is when it will resume, concerned level said.
Bangladesh government repeatedly said Myanmar has to create conducive environment and the international community has to create pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation.
Foreign minister ever and anon said the longer staying of the Rohingya will destablise the peace in this region if the Rohingya persons are not repatriated immediately.
Even he said the countries that have its investment for development will be foiled if the Rohingya crisis is not resolved.
