Abductions and Brutal Assault Leave Community in Turmoil
By: Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – July 23, 2025
A sharp rise in abductions and violent attacks has plunged the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar into a new wave of fear, as recent incidents expose deepening insecurity and a breakdown of protection for one of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
On July 21, a respected community leader (Head-majhi), Abul Kalam, and his son, Mohammed Ismail, were brutally assaulted by unidentified assailants in Camp 17, Block A, Sub-block H-95. Both men sustained serious injuries after being beaten with blunt weapons. They are currently receiving treatment at a local medical facility.
The attack sent shockwaves through the camp. “My heart breaks seeing our leaders attacked like this. If even they aren’t safe, what about the rest of us?” said one elderly resident, visibly shaken and speaking under condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Within 24 hours, violence struck again. On July 22, three Rohingya men from Camp 4 were abducted at gunpoint by an armed group and taken to Camp 17. A swift response by the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) led to the rescue of two of the victims, who were found injured and in critical condition. Both were rushed to the hospital for urgent care.
The third abducted man remains missing. Authorities have yet to release information about the perpetrators or confirm whether an investigation is underway. The silence has left families in distress and the broader community on edge.
“These incidents are deeply alarming,” said a youth volunteer from the camp. “We are living in fear. Every day we wonder who might be next. There is no justice, no protection.”
Rohingya residents and camp-based youth groups are now calling for immediate intervention. Many believe criminal groups and armed networks are taking advantage of the fragile security situation and the limited presence of law enforcement. Head-majhis—community leaders who often act as intermediaries between camp authorities and residents—have become frequent targets in recent years.
Rights groups monitoring the situation have echoed concerns over the safety vacuum in the camps. “The violence is not isolated—it is part of a larger pattern of impunity, fear, and shrinking civic space within the camps,” said one regional rights advocate. “The Bangladeshi government and international actors must act swiftly to prevent further escalation.”
Demands for increased accountability, stronger protection measures, and transparency from law enforcement are growing louder.
For now, tension hangs heavy in the narrow alleys of the camps. Doors close earlier. Voices are lowered. Hope for safety and peace continues to erode in the shadows of violence.
