Prevent Rohingya infiltration

According to official estimates, there are currently more than 1.2 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh. An average of 30,000 Rohingya children are born every year. As a result, the number of Rohingyas is naturally increasing; additionally, new infiltrations have occurred. Due to security concerns, countless Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh from Myanmar and India every month, and the exact number remains unknown. On Sunday (March 2), news outlets reported that despite barriers, around 60,000 Rohingyas have entered the country recently, which is a matter of great concern for the nation!

Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, stated to the media that despite not having official permission, Bangladesh has had to accept around 60,000 Rohingyas through various means across the border. The Home Affairs Adviser has made similar remarks, stating that sometimes humanitarian reasons prevent us from stopping them, and there is also pressure from foreigners. Therefore, we have asked them to increase their support and cooperation. Moreover, it is true that those who have taken refuge in Bangladesh have been stuck in one place for a long time.

Meanwhile, to raise awareness of the Rohingya crisis globally, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi has been urged by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. On the other hand, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has once again threatened to send back "illegal Bangladeshis" and Rohingyas living in Delhi and its surrounding areas to their respective countries. He has also mentioned that instructions have already been given to Delhi Police in this regard.

The question is, will the Rohingya crisis ever be resolved, or will it continue year after year? The Arakan Army has occupied the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. It is difficult to say who will control it in the future – Myanmar or the Arakan Army. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has thus maintained good relations with both sides. While the BGB claims, "Our border is fully secured. There is no problem here," we can observe that new Rohingyas continue to infiltrate every month, along with illegal smuggling and drugs.

Bangladesh is the primary victim of the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh is already a small, densely populated country, and the addition of a large number of Rohingyas has become a threat to the country’s internal security. International organizations are not fulfilling their responsibilities properly. In recent years, the funds allocated for the Rohingyas by international organizations have been decreasing. As a result, a severe humanitarian crisis has emerged in the Rohingya refugee camps. We want the current government to take real steps to solve the Rohingya crisis, rather than offering just comforting words like the previous government did. Along with repatriating the previously sheltered Rohingyas, the government must prevent further infiltration.

It must be remembered that the Myanmar government must be forced to create a peaceful environment for the repatriation and resettlement of the refugees in Rakhine state. Until the Rohingyas are repatriated, special measures must be taken to control the law and order situation in those camps. Additionally, to make the repatriation process a reality, the government and concerned parties must continue their diplomatic efforts. We hope for a peaceful resolution to the Rohingya issue.