More vigilance over Rohingya armed groups needed

The arrest of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the head of the Rohingya rebel group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and 10 of his associates raises concerns that more ARSA members are hiding in Bangladesh. This is undoubtedly a warning sign for Bangladesh's security. The issue has been under serious discussion since their arrest in raids at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj and at Notun Bazar in Mymensingh on Monday and Tuesday.

Law enforcement sources said they were arrested on charges of illegal infiltration and terrorist activities in Bangladesh. Ataullah is the head of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. He ordered the murder of the controversial Rohingya leader Muhibullah. The statement of at least four accused revealed his involvement in the murder. Ataullah is the accused in the chargesheet in the murder case of DGFI officer squadron leader Rizwan Rushdi during a joint anti-drug operation at Tumbru border under Naikshongchhari upazila in Bandarban. Among the other arrestees are ARSA members Mostaq Ahmed, Moniruzzaman, Salimullah, Mosammat Asmaul Hosna, Md Hasan, Asmat Ullah, Hasan and Mosammat Shahina.

They were produced before the court of Narayanganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Moinuddin Kadir. After the hearing, six of them were remanded for a total of 10 days in two cases for five days each. Of the remaining four arrested, three are women and one is a child. They were shown arrested in the same case and sent to jail.

The most worrying thing is that ARSA is also using women and children for the rebel organisation and it is unknown how many of them are currently in Bangladesh. Their activities are also unknown. They have been accused of being involved in murders. A lot may come out from the interrogation during remand. However, it is important for Bangladesh to be more aware of the issue now.

Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees. Having such a large number of refugees in a country for a long time poses a security threat in various ways and the Rohingya crisis is gradually becoming a national crisis for Bangladesh. Recently, the UN Secretary-General visited the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh and promised to complete the process of returning the Rohingyas to their country.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has also suggested that the Rohingyas will return to the country before the next Eid; but as the Rohingya crisis is as complex as it is, many are skeptical about their return in the near future. If a secret rebel group like ARSA rises, it will become a threat to the security of Bangladesh. Therefore, more monitoring of the Rohingya armed organisations is now necessary.