Behind the unrest in Bihari camp

Despite gaining recognition as Bangladeshi citizens 16 years ago, most stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh have yet to integrate into normal life. Instead, many remain involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. The Mohammadpur and Mirpur camps are currently rife with unrest due to power struggles following the historic student uprising on August 5. Views Bangladesh investigates why these individuals are entangled in crime and why they remain disconnected from mainstream Bangladeshi life.

Citizenship Rights but Limited Integration
In 2008, the High Court granted Bangladeshi citizenship to stranded Pakistanis. However, the verdict excluded adult refugees from the Liberation War era. This recognition opened the door for these Urdu-speaking individuals, commonly referred to as Biharis, to assimilate into normal life.

Rising Tensions in the Camps
Since the government’s fall on August 5, the Geneva Camp in Mohammadpur has been a battleground for dominance. Six individuals, including a child, have been killed in related incidents. Five of the deceased were involved in drug trafficking. Residents report over 50 clashes among drug cartel groups in the past three months.

The camp dwellers, overwhelmed by fear, allege that the power struggle involves figures such as Bhuiyan Sohel, Munia Sohel, Monu Parmanu, Chua Selim, and others. These groups have destabilized law and order in the area.

In Mirpur, the situation is similarly grim. Camps like Bogura Camp face drug-related violence, leaving even hopeful entrepreneurs wary. However, camp elders like Jahir Abbas point out that Mirpur camps are relatively stable due to stronger local governance through clubs, unlike the Geneva Camp, where external political influence fuels frequent conflicts.
Dense Living Conditions and Rising Crime
Approximately 40,000 people reside in Geneva Camp, crammed into small houses along narrow lanes. The camp has become a hub for drug trafficking, with at least 28 major spots for open drug sales. Similar trends are evident in Mirpur, although most Biharis still depend on traditional professions like barbering and butchery for livelihood.

Community leaders from the NLRC and Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee (SPGRC) attribute the recurrent involvement in crime to external instigation. They emphasize that most Biharis aspire to lead a better life and reintegrate into society.

Calls for a New Path
According to SPGRC Joint Coordinator Md. Iqbal Hossain, many young Biharis are excelling in professions such as mechanics and hairstyling. However, the shortage of opportunities forces some toward drug trafficking. A lack of systematic rehabilitation and recognition hinders their progress.

Veteran residents like Rafiqul Islam note that while obtaining national ID cards has granted citizenship, job opportunities remain scarce. Consequently, young individuals find drug trafficking an easy but destructive way to earn money.

Aspirations for a Better Future
Most younger Biharis, especially those under 40, prefer to remain in Bangladesh, a country where they were born, raised, and educated. They have formed strong ties to local culture and now actively seek to integrate into mainstream society. Marriages between Biharis and Bengalis are becoming increasingly common, further bridging gaps.

Nadim, a young barber in Mohammadpur, shares his optimism, saying, “We have received our ID cards and are getting work opportunities. We only wish to be treated like any other Bangladeshi, without being ostracized for being Bihari.”

Educational institutions also play a key role in reshaping Bihari perspectives. Many children from the camps now attend Bengali-medium schools, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing cultural divides.
The Road Ahead
Despite citizenship, constitutional reforms remain absent. Mohammad Yasin, a second-year student at Jahangirnagar University, said, “We are the only linguistic minority in this country, but there is no mention of us in the constitution.” He calls for recognition similar to that afforded to indigenous and marginalized communities, including the right to education in their native language.

The Biharis, now firmly rooted in Bangladesh, yearn for a future where they can contribute to nation-building, armed with equal opportunities and dignity.