Rohingya infiltration unstoppable, locals in fear

Rohingyas are again infiltrating into Bangladesh through Teknaf, Ukhia and Naikshyongchari borders. More than 15 thousand have already entered in several phases. Not only that, over 50,000 Rohingyas are waiting to enter. It is estimated that 60,000 to 70,000 Rohingya are currently waiting in the no-man's land area.

According to officials, the intensifying conflict between rebel forces and the junta in Myanmar's Maungdaw has prompted Rohingya to seek refuge across the border to save their lives. Taking advantage of the situation, Bangladeshi traffickers are reportedly helping them enter Bangladesh for large sums of money. However, the authorities concerned said that the country no longer has the capacity to host any additional Rohingya.

Currently, there are 1.25 million registered Rohingya in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, with 800,000 arriving after August 25, 2017, in just a few months. In the last seven years, not a single Rohingya has been successfully repatriated to Myanmar.

According to the authorities concerned, Rohingya are crossing into Bangladesh with the help of traffickers, traveling by boat through the Teknaf border and taking shelter in various camps across Cox's Bazar district. Mohammad Hossain, head of Block 1 in Camp 9 of the Rohingya settlement, told the media that Rohingya are arriving every day. They are coming not only through the Naf River but also through other border routes. Some local people are helping them enter Bangladesh. Not all are seeking shelter in the camps; some are staying outside the camps as well.

He further added that the ongoing severe conflict in Maungdaw has made it impossible for Rohingya to remain there. They are being attacked and persecuted by both the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army.

Nurul Bashar, former councilor of Teknaf, said after the fall of the Myanmar government on August 5, a large number of Rohingya entered from the border. They are still entering through various points. There are at least 30 such points where the infiltration is continuing.

He added that traffickers are facilitating their entry. Initially, those who enter rent houses in various areas of Cox's Bazar. Later, they seek shelter in the camps through their relatives who had arrived earlier.

He further expressed concern about the new influx of Rohingya, stating, "We are already feeling like a minority here. If this continues, the situation will worsen in the future."

Analysts have expressed similar concerns, warning that if Bangladesh cannot manage the situation, the 150,000 Rohingya waiting to enter could cross the border at any time.

Md. Shahidul Haque, a former military attaché and ex-ambassador of Bangladesh to Myanmar, told the media that if Bangladesh cannot stop the infiltration of Rohingya, the country's internal security will be at risk. He added that the camps are already facing numerous challenges, including drug and arms trafficking, with various terrorist groups taking refuge there.

Md. Shamsuddoza Nayan, additional RRRC at the office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) in Cox’s Bazar, acknowledged that some Rohingya are entering the country undetected by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). He mentioned that during the August protests, at least 8,000 Rohingya managed to enter the camps. A list of the new arrivals and the camps they are in has been made. However, no large-scale infiltration has occurred since then.

Multiple sources from the border have confirmed that at least 15,000 Rohingya arrived in various camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya over the past week. Around 60,000 to 70,000 more Rohingya are gathered at the Maungdaw border, preparing to enter Bangladesh. Despite the strict surveillance by BGB and the Coast Guard along the Naf River and the border, the local population is alarmed by the large number of Rohingya entering the country. They have called for action against those aiding the illegal entry of Rohingya in exchange for money.

It has been reported that the fighting between the junta and rebel forces has intensified in Maungdaw town of Rakhine State over the past few days. From Sunday evening to Monday morning, clashes took place between government forces and the armed group Arakan Army (AA). The Arakan Army has taken control of five villages near Maungdaw town—Sudhapara, Maungnipara, Sikdarpara, Ukilpara, and Nurullapara—displacing 50,000 to 60,000 Rohingya. Currently, more than three lakh Rohingya remain in Maungdaw and surrounding areas of Rakhine State.

Locals said that the newly arrived Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in several camps in Teknaf, including Noyapara, Jadimura, and Muchhni. Most of them are women and children.

Several Rohingya in the camps mentioned that those who have sought refuge mostly come from Daliapara and Sudhapara in Maungdaw. They have taken shelter in the homes of their relatives already living in the camps, where they are staying in cramped conditions.

The Rohingya revealed that to cross the Naf River, they had to pay Teknaf traffickers 500,000 to 600,000 kyat per person (with 18 kyat equivalent to 1 Bangladeshi taka). Each boat carried 10-12 Rohingya across the river. Meanwhile, it has been reported that several thousand Rohingya have also taken shelter in the Leda, Kutupalong, and Balukhali camps in Ukhiya. Among them are gunshot victims and other injured individuals, who are being provided medical treatment in the camps. However, the government has not yet made any decision regarding their permanent housing.

Regarding the Rohingya infiltration, Foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhid Hossain on Sunday told reporters that around 8,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh so far. Measures are being taken to prevent further entry, as Bangladesh no longer has the capacity to accommodate any more Rohingya.