Plans
by RK Desk
Cox’s Bazar — October 9, 2026
Bangladesh authorities have announced plans to establish two new army camps and expand surveillance in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, citing concerns over abductions, extortion, drug trafficking and armed-group activities.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the decisions following a meeting of the National Committee on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs), according to a report by Banglanews24.
The planned measures include repairing damaged barbed-wire fencing, installing CCTV cameras, introducing solar-powered lighting and setting up additional watchtowers and control towers.
The minister said two new army camps would be established in the hilly areas of Rongikhali and Noakhalipara, which authorities have identified as areas affected by repeated abductions and ransom demands.
The new camps will operate under the command of the Bangladesh Army’s 10th Infantry Division, based in Ramu.
According to the minister, joint security operations in the refugee camps are normally conducted under the leadership of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn).
However, in an emergency or a war-like situation along the border, operations would follow established procedures under the leadership of a brigadier general of the Bangladesh Army.
The government has also decided to expand the investigative powers of APBn officers working in the camps.
Around 400 sub-inspector-level officers have been given legal authority to investigate offences involving drug trafficking, online gambling and human trafficking, the minister said.
The decisions were made during a government coordination meeting attended by ministers, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and senior representatives of the military and law-enforcement agencies.
Responding to journalists, Salahuddin said he was not aware of any government proposal to build a separate prison exclusively for Rohingya refugees.
He also expressed hope that Rohingya repatriation could eventually move forward under United Nations leadership and with international support, while acknowledging that the crisis was becoming increasingly difficult to resolve.
The government has not yet announced a detailed timetable for completing the planned security installations.
The measures could bring changes to security arrangements and surveillance inside the camps, although their impact on refugees’ daily lives remains to be seen.
Source: Banglanews24
