By: Hafizur Rahman, Camp Correspondent
Baharchara, January 15 — Thirty-eight Rohingyas, including 30 children, were arrested by the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) while attempting to cross into Bangladesh. These families fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine State in search of safety and survival.
In Myanmar, the Rohingya face dire conditions under the control of the Arakan Army (AA). Many are forced into hard labor, such as digging trenches and patrolling villages. Families unable to provide labor are fined amounts ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 kyats. Even widows and impoverished families are not exempt from these demands.
A Life of Unbearable Hardship
For the poorest families, the burden is overwhelming. Wealthier families might pay to avoid forced labor, but those with little to no resources are left with no choice but to comply. Some individuals are compelled to work once a week, while others are forced into labor up to four times a month for the AA.
The conditions in Rakhine State have become unbearable. Many people are battling hunger and rampant discrimination. Homes have been burned down, leaving families homeless, while children suffer from malnutrition and lack of access to medicine. Starvation has claimed the lives of some, and countless others remain at risk.
A Desperate Escape
The arrested Rohingyas shared harrowing stories of survival. They fled to Bangladesh, leaving behind a land plagued with violence and destitution. “We have no food or safe shelter in Myanmar. We came here just to survive,” explained one of the detained refugees.
A Call for Humanity
This incident highlights the ongoing crisis faced by Rohingya families in Myanmar and the desperate measures they are taking to escape the inhumane conditions. Humanitarian organizations and governments are being urged to address the root causes of the crisis and provide aid to those in need.
