Rohingya youth held while trying to register as voter in Rangpur

A young man suspected of being a Rohingya was detained while attempting to register as a voter at an election office in Pirganj, Rangpur, after officials found inconsistencies in his identity and documents.

The man, identified as Shawkat, went to the Pirganj Upazila Election Office on Monday afternoon (September 28) claiming to be a resident of Jahangirabad village in Pachgachhi Union.

He submitted a citizenship certificate, birth registration and other documents to support his application.

Officials became suspicious during the verification process because of inconsistencies in his documents and statements. During questioning, Shawkat reportedly said he had travelled from Teknaf after contacting a local man who promised to arrange Bangladeshi citizenship for him and help send him abroad.

According to Shawkat’s account, the man took him to the election office and then left, deleting his own phone number from Shawkat’s mobile. Shawkat could not provide the man’s name, address or other identifying details.

Sultan Mondal, panel chairman of Pachgachhi Union Parishad, said the documents submitted by Shawkat had not been issued by the union council and alleged that his signature and the council’s seal had been forged.

Pirganj Election Officer Azizar Rahman said officials’ suspicion increased during questioning. At one point, Shawkat was asked to recite the national anthem but could not do so, further raising questions about his claimed citizenship.

His statements during subsequent questioning also led officials to suspect that he could be a Rohingya, he said.

Nazmul Haque, officer-in-charge (OC) Pirganj Police Station, said, "Shawkat was being held in police custody. Police were trying to identify and bring the person who allegedly brought him from Teknaf to Pirganj under the law."

"The circumstances surrounding the documents and Shawkat’s identity are being investigated," he added.