by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | November 24, 2025
Camp 6 authorities have introduced a new five member committee system to replace the long standing individual majhi structure. The Camp in Charge announced the change during a meeting held on Monday, marking a major shift in local leadership inside the refugee settlement. The committee, formed with members from different community categories, will now take responsibility for tasks previously handled by single majhis.
Representatives from the UCR also attended the meeting at the invitation of the CiC. The delegation shared their views on how this new arrangement could strengthen community level administration and reduce long standing concerns over unilateral decision making.
Several residents described the reform as a hopeful step. Mohammad Idris, a resident of Camp 6, said that for the first time it feels like decisions will come from a collective body instead of one individual. He said the system might help reduce the corruption that many residents had spoken about in earlier years.
A shopkeeper from Block C expressed similar optimism. He said that involving more people in leadership naturally brings more fairness and transparency in community matters.
Other residents said training will be essential for the committee to work effectively. One employee who attended the meeting said the idea is promising, but the members must clearly understand their responsibilities to ensure smooth and accountable management.
A female resident who regularly joins community discussions said the committee should create a regular feedback mechanism so that concerns from every block are heard and addressed. She said better communication would help the camp as a whole.
Some community members, however, were cautious. A former head majhi said he does not fully support removing the majhi system. He recalled a similar attempt in 2018 when committees struggled to take on responsibilities because educated residents were often reluctant to participate. He said that if the new structure continues, it should work closely with experienced majhis to solve problems quickly.
Ro Khing Maung, another resident, publicly supported the new initiative. He said the CiC of Camp 6 is known among residents as a kind person with a genuine commitment to the Rohingya community. He said the community will cooperate fully with the changes and that such leadership could improve management across multiple camps.
Residents said that if the committee model proves effective in Camp 6, it could become a new and distinctive approach within the wider camp system. Many community members said they are prepared to support the CiC and other authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
For now, people in Camp 6 are observing the new structure with a mix of hope and curiosity, believing that transparent and collective leadership can bring meaningful improvements to daily life.
