Two army camps planned near Rohingya camps: Home minister

Photo: Collected

The government has resolved to establish two army camps in the hilly areas adjoining the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar in order to curb abductions, ransom-taking and other crimes, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat after the second meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management and Law and Order concerning forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, he said abductions were occurring routinely in the hills near the camps. Victims are allegedly seized from various localities, taken into the hills and held for ransom, he added, noting that the decision had been reached after consultations with the stakeholders concerned. Salahuddin said the proposed military presence would bolster security and help contain crime in areas such as Rangikhali. Moreover, he acknowledged that the camps also grapple with drug trafficking, online gambling, human trafficking, armed groups and weapons-related offences, against which regular security operations are under way.

Asked about repatriation, the home minister said the matter was being handled separately by a high-level committee headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He expressed confidence that the Rohingya could eventually be repatriated with international support and under United Nations leadership.

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