Recently, the police have prepared a confidential report and sent it to the headquarters, which contains information about drug and weapon trafficking in Rohingya camps. The report indicates that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed group of Rohingyas, primarily controls drug and weapon trafficking.
In 2013, the terrorist group ARSA came into existence. Previously, it was known locally as Harakah al-Yaqin. Currently, in various Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, hundreds of active members of their organization have received extensive military training. About 400 to 500 terrorists affiliated with ARSA remain active. They create hidden hideouts in the hilly areas of the camps and engage in activities such as murder, abduction, extortion, and various other criminal activities.
This organization’s 27 groups are active in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf and Ukhiya Rohingya camps. According to police sources, each of the 27 groups affiliated with ARSA has at least a hundred members.
ARSA discovered a stash near the Ukhiya Rohingya camp at the end of January last year, containing 22 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, four mines, and various explosive materials. Three individuals were arrested.
The Ukhiya Rohingya camp then yielded five AK-47 rifles, one RPG launcher, 36 rifle bullets, four shotgun cartridges, three hand grenades, and various other items in February.
After sending the police’s confidential report to the police headquarters, law enforcement agencies have increased their vigilance to apprehend arms traffickers.
In the last week of April, five Rohingyas were arrested, and from them, five foreign pistols, two local guns, and 18 bullets were recovered.
The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) arrested Mohammad Jubayer, Dil Mohammad, Mohammad Idrees, and Mohammadullah from Block D-9 of Camp 2 in Ukhiya’s Kutupalong camp, according to police sources. Upon interrogation, they revealed that they had been involved in various crimes since arriving from Myanmar. Initially, they were involved in drug trafficking, followed by arms trafficking.
They acknowledged that they frequently rent out weapons, claiming to do so daily. There is a high demand for pistols among the weapons. Renting a pistol for one day costs 30,000 taka. Pictures are taken when providing firearms. Everyone involved in arms trafficking within the camp is an ARSA member.
The police report states that intermediaries facilitate regular firearm rentals for criminals outside the camp. Those who rent firearms return them after committing crimes. Police have also learned through interrogations of arrested criminals that they earn hundreds of thousands of taka per month from renting firearms. Furthermore, Rohingya militants are involved in human trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking.
A senior official from the police headquarters revealed that they received a report on criminals in Rohingya camps several months ago. The report contains information about a variety of issues. Previously, there were hideouts for drug trafficking in Rohingya camps. Currently, the camps themselves are renting out firearms.
The police officer stated that ARSA members are active in all camps and that Bangladeshi intermediaries rent out firearms.
According to the police report, there is concern about deteriorating war conditions in the bordering areas of Teknaf, Myanmar. The illegal entry control of Myanmar citizens (Rohingya/Rakhine), security in protected areas and water boundaries of Bangladesh and Myanmar, prevention of illegal ration smuggling by ARSA militants, and the increase in the supply of drugs and stolen goods due to ration exchange transactions are all contributing to this concern.
Apart from the ongoing conflict across the border, the easy availability of firearms has led to militant groups or factions collecting firearms and using them within Bangladesh. These elements, with the support of local insurgent groups and the Rakhine community, are causing unrest in the hilly regions of Bangladesh.
According to the report, Rohingya refugees are residing in 33 camps, including Unregistered-21, Hoinkya Chakmarkul, Unchiprang-22, Leda-24, Ali Khali-25, Noyapara Mauchani-26, and Jadimura camps. Some members of these camps are involved with a variety of terrorist groups. They engage in activities such as arms trading, drug trafficking, and smuggling.
Every day, arms and narcotics are smuggled into each camp through the Ukhiya-Teknaf, Tumru, Naikhongchari, and Bandarban borders. To control these activities, numerous armed groups have emerged in the camps.
Mr. Mahfuzul Islam, Cox’s Bazar Police Superintendent, stated that efforts are underway to identify individuals associated with ARSA who are involved in arms and drug trafficking. Several criminals have already been brought before the law.
When asked, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that various crimes are indeed occurring in Rohingya camps. However, law enforcement agencies are vigilant about cracking down on Rohingya ARSA criminals and have been instructed to take strict action against them.
