They claim that the Myanmar army is still
torturing them in Rakhine Province
Thousands of Rohingya are looking for the possibility to
enter Bangladesh and escape from the atrocities carried out on them by the
Myanmar military.
Rohingya leaders of several camps in Cox's Bazar say many
Rohingyas have already entered Bangladesh by the Naf River. They say more than
500,000 Rohingya refugees are still waiting to flee Rakhine to avoid torture.
They also claim that around 300 refugees have taken
shelter in the border areas’ jungles.
The refugees, who recently entered Bangladesh, claim that
the Myanmar army is still torturing Rohingyas in Rakhine Province.
Some of the refugees claim that, those remaining in
Rakhine have been made slaves—and are trying to flee to Bangladesh to avoid
torture.
Teknaf Leda Rohingya camp Chairman Abdul Matlab said:
“Rohingyas currently in Rakhine have actually been detained. The soldiers are
not even allowing them to go to nearby market places.
“As a result, they are facing food shortages. The
Rohingyas are forced into living in a terrible situation, which is compelling
them to flee to Bangladesh.”
Quoting the new refugees, Matlab further said: “The
soldiers are torturing them in tactical ways, so there are no large signs of
anarchy on the surface. If this goes on for long, every Rohingya will flee
Rakhine and come to Bangladesh.”
According to United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR), around 13,764 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh this year.
Of them, 531 entered by the Naf River in September. The
number was 256 in August and 413 in July. From May 20 to July 22, some 3,000
Rohingya entered Bangladesh.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) sources
said most of these refugees entered the country via Teknaf’s Sabrang and its
surrounding areas.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and law enforcement have
adopted a zero-tolerance policy to prevent the influx.
Earlier on August 13, BGB sent back a boat carrying 12
Rohingyas. BGB sources said they also sent back a boat carrying seven Rohingyas
on September 21.
However, locals claimed that 12 Rohingyas entered the
country. They arrived in two boats.
BGB Teknaf 2 Deputy Commander Major Shariful Islam
Jummadar said: “Rohingyas are still trying to enter the country. BGB patrols
have been strengthened at the borders to prevent their entry.”
Khadijatul Kobra, 26, who fled to Bangladesh last week
from Buthidaung, said: "Myanmar soldiers beat up the Rohingya women and
treat their husbands as slaves.
“During the day, the men are used as housemaids and at
night, they are used as guards for the army men. I could not bear the torture
and ran away with my family.”
Abul Hayer, who sold his daughter’s gold earrings for
Tk5,000 to come to Bangladesh, said: “I fled my house. I met two other families
when I reached the border. Twelve of us entered [Bangladesh] together at the
Unchiprang border.”
He further said: “There were 800 houses in my village but
now there are only 500 houses.”
However, Teknaf Municipality acting chairman Abdullah
Monir said: “The influx has increased as the Rohingyas are contacting their
relatives in Myanmar, informing them about their wellbeing here, and asking
them to come to Bangladesh.”
Echoing this, Teknaf upazila UNO Md Rabiul Hasan said:
"No new Rohingya will be allowed to enter Bangladesh. There is strict
surveillance on the border. If someone tries to intrude, he will be sent back.”
Since August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingyas, many of
whom are children, have crossed into Bangladesh and taken shelter in the
makeshift refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
Source: Dhaka Tribune