Syndicate profits from illegal Rohingya settlements established razing hills
Around 1,500 Rohingyas detained in joint forces' operation in Cox's Bazar
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COX'S BAZAR, Feb 12: A well-organised syndicate has allegedly been running a lucrative rental business by establishing illegal Rohingya settlements outside the registered refugee camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox's Bazar, cutting down hills to create makeshift housing.
During a joint forces operation, at least 1,500 Rohingya refugees were detained from the Balukhali area of Ukhiya on Sunday morning.
Although the Moragachhtola area of Balukhali is surrounded by hills, the situation inside was markedly different. Nearly 350 illegal settlements had been built there by cutting hills, where thousands of Rohingyas had been living for a long time.
Local residents alleged that an influential syndicate had been renting out these settlements to Rohingyas, charging Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000 per person per month, earning hundreds of thousands of taka every month. There are also allegations that drug trading activities were being operated from the area.
The joint forces conducted the operation at around 6:00 am on Sunday (February 8), cordoning off the Moragachhtola area. During the search, hundreds of Rohingyas came out of the houses, while many others reportedly fled after locking their homes.
Several individuals from the owner group who rented out the settlements were also detained. According to the authorities, they admitted to providing shelter to Rohingyas in exchange for rent.
Members of the local civil society believe that Rohingya settlements outside the registered camps are not only increasing criminal activities but also posing a serious threat to the overall law and order situation in
the region.
Executive Magistrate Manju Bin Afnan of Cox's Bazar said that legal action is being taken against those involved, and on-the-spot fines have already been imposed.
He added that the detained Rohingyas are being sent back to the registered camps through the
Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner. Among the seven people arrested during the operation, five were fined, while two were sentenced to imprisonment on charges related to drug trafficking.
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