by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, September 21, 2025: The body of a young Rohingya woman was discovered on Sunday afternoon beneath a bridge construction site in Camp-24, Leda, sparking shock and fear among residents already living under constant insecurity.
The victim was identified as Sajeda (20), daughter of Azim Ullah and Amina Khatun. Her refugee identity card was recovered at the scene. Another card, belonging to a 12-year-old boy named Yeasor Arfat, was also found nearby, though his connection to the case remains unclear.
Cause of Death Still Uncertain
Local residents speculated that the body may have been carried to the site by floodwaters, but the real cause of death is still unknown. Police have launched an investigation.
A youth from Camp-24 told Rohingya Khobor: “This place is very dangerous. Maybe the body was brought here by water or left by someone. We are very scared now. Security forces must take stronger action to protect people living here.”
Fears of Human Trafficking
Community members expressed concern that Sajeda may have been a victim of human trafficking. Some sources suggested she had been attempting to travel to Malaysia before she disappeared.
Human trafficking remains one of the most pressing dangers inside Rohingya refugee camps, where over 1.2 million people live with little hope for the future. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, often lured by brokers with false promises of marriage or jobs abroad. Many never return.
One Rohingya woman who survived trafficking shared her testimony: “I was once trapped by brokers. They promised a safe journey but instead sold me from one group to another. Many women do not survive.”
Call for Stronger Protection
The discovery of Sajeda’s body has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger protection measures in Cox’s Bazar camps. Community leaders and rights activists have repeatedly warned that without more effective policing and accountability, traffickers and criminal networks will continue to exploit refugees with impunity.
For residents of Camp-24, Sajeda’s death is not just another tragedy—it is a stark reminder of how insecurity, displacement, and desperation combine to make life inside the camps increasingly unsafe.
