The influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh has resumed through the Teknaf, Ukhiya, and Naikhongchhari borders as fighting intensifies between Myanmar's rebel forces and the junta in the port city of Maungdaw.
Between Friday and Saturday, 700 to 800 Rohingyas crossed into Bangladesh, with reports indicating that local brokers are facilitating these crossings in exchange for significant sums of money.
Government officials overseeing the Rohingya camps have acknowledged the clandestine entry of some Rohingyas. Md Shamsuddoza Nayan, Additional Commissioner of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), stated that at least 8,000 Rohingyas took advantage of the August protests to sneak into the camps. He also confirmed that a list has been compiled of the new arrivals, but no major influxes have occurred since then.
However, local sources confirm that Friday and Saturday saw the largest number of new arrivals, and there are reports that around 40,000 more Rohingyas are waiting to cross from areas like Manipara, Sikdarpara, and Ayrpara in Myanmar’s Maungdaw region.
Several Rohingya leaders, speaking anonymously, claimed that local brokers are profiting by charging large amounts of money to smuggle the new arrivals into Bangladesh.
Rohingya refugees have shared their harrowing stories of escape. Mohammad Zaker, who fled Myanmar with his family, said they waited two days at the border before crossing into Camp-1 in Ukhiya on Friday. Similarly, Sabbir Ahmed and his family arrived at Camp-1’s B Block on Saturday after crossing into Bangladesh through the Jadimura border area in Teknaf, seeking refuge from the violence in Myanmar.
Local residents and representatives confirmed that Rohingyas are crossing the Naf River, which is about four kilometers wide at certain points, under the cover of darkness. They are entering Bangladesh through various points, including Jadimura, Damdamiya, Keruntoli, Boraitoli, Naytangpara, Nazirpara, and Shahporir Island, among others.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Main Uddin, in charge of security at the refugee camps under the 16th Armed Police Battalion (APBn), acknowledged that a few Rohingyas had already entered the camps, and measures have been put in place to monitor them. He added that security has been tightened to prevent further illegal entry.
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury also confirmed incidents of infiltration, stating that a large number of Rohingyas attempting to cross the Naf River have been sent back to Myanmar. Patrols along the river and border have been intensified to curb illegal entry.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen in some of the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya. Over the past two days, clashes between rival groups have left at least 15 people injured. Rohingya leader Ali Hossain reported that seven people were injured in a gunfight between two factions in Camp-18 on Thursday, with an additional eight people injured in a similar clash in Camp-15 the day before.
BDST: 1340 HRS, SEPT 08, 2024
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