Take initiative to stop armed rebellion in Rohingya refugee camps

Reports in various media about terrorist activities in Rohingya camps recently have alarmed the people of the country. The activities of terrorist groups that have emerged among the Rohingya population, who took shelter in various camps in Cox’s Bazar after fleeing genocide and persecution in Myanmar, are increasingly becoming intolerable. As a result, they are gradually taking over large parts of Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas in Cox’s Bazar. The country’s economy, politics, security, and environment are all currently under threat. The Rohingya population of over 1.3 million is increasingly strengthening its terrorist capabilities. They are becoming involved in terrorist clashes against each other. Murder, abduction, child and women trafficking, and drug smuggling are becoming linked with them, which is a grave warning for the country.

Many young Rohingyas sheltered in the refugee camps are ready to engage in ‘jihad’ and ‘war’. They are even dreaming of establishing an independent region as part of their desire to return to their homeland. Such thoughts and mentalities have developed among the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh over the past one to one and a half years.

According to international news outlet BBC Bangla, Rohingyas who are in contact with the general population and various groups in the camps have admitted that at least four organisations in the camps are engaged in activities to incite ‘armed rebellion’, ‘jihad’, or ‘war’. Regular informal meetings and discussions take place in various camps on these issues. The groups are Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), Islamic Mahaz, and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA).

On the other hand, the International Crisis Group (ICG) recently published a report warning that Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh may engage in armed rebellion against the Arakan Army. The report states that armed groups active in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh have suspended internal conflicts and increased recruitment of new members. The ICG report also mentions that the active groups are using religious language to incite refugees to go to war in Rakhine.

The question is, why should the people of the country accept such dreadful behaviour and terrorist activities by the Rohingyas? Therefore, it is natural for the concerned civil society to be alarmed. In this situation, all types of terrorist group activities must be brought under control before the situation spirals out of hand. At the same time, it is very important to bring their population reproduction under family planning control.

It must be remembered that the Myanmar government must be compelled to create a peaceful environment in Rakhine for the repatriation and rehabilitation of the refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh. Until the Rohingyas return, special measures must be taken to maintain law and order in those camps. Moreover, there is no alternative for the government and relevant parties but to continue appropriate diplomatic efforts to implement the repatriation process in reality. We hope for a peaceful resolution to the Rohingya crisis.