Thousands of Rohingya refugees continue to enter Bangladesh, driven out from their homes by a brutal army crackdown in Rakhine state of Myanmar. However, the mass exodus of the persecuted Rohingya is also a serious security concern due to the possible infiltration into Bangladesh of criminal organisations or militants.
The intelligence agencies are concerned that these criminal groups could become involved in illicit activities such as narcotics trading and arms smuggling, and may subsequently compromise the country’s security. There are further concerns of militants and insurgents entering the country.
In the past, there also have been allegations that Rohingya people have gained Bangladesh passports through illegal means, and have also been enrolled in the voter list and negatively impacted local elections in Bangladesh’s border areas.
Such concerns received validation when a team of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained four Myanmar nationals recently, believed to be spying for the neighbouring country, from Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban.
Under the circumstances, law enforcers, intelligence agencies and several district administrations have increased surveillance at Bangladesh-Myanmar border regions in Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf and Bandarban.
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To discuss the issue, a meeting on maintaining law enforcement and security of border regions was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 10. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan presided over the meeting, which was attended by several top officials of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Speaking at the meeting, the home minister said: “We have yet to find evidence that members of any separatist organisation or militant group trespassed into Bangladesh. Surveillance has been increased in border regions, and intelligence agencies are making a serious effort to prevent these criminals for entering the country.”
According to intelligence reports, several banned militant organisations have demanded that shelter be provided to the Rohingyas refugees. These groups are also campaigning for the Rohingya by spreading fake information and fake images of the violence on the internet.
Law enforcers are concerned that these criminals will slip into Bangladesh alongside the refugees.
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Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader addressed the issue in a meeting held at the secretariat on September 7.
“The mass exodus of Rohingya refugees is matter of grave concern for Bangladesh. The possibility of them bringing in illegal drugs or arms into Bangladesh is even more concerning,” the minister said.
The Department of Narcotics Control Director (Operations and Intelligence), Deputy Inspector General Syed Towfique Uddin Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune that field officers hade been ordered to increase their vigilance, while law enforcers were asked to convey support to other officials.
“The ongoing violence in Myanmar is disheartening, but we must remain vigilant over the possibility of drugs smuggling related to the Rohingya influx,” he said.
Additional Commissioner of the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, Monirul Islam said there are several separatist groups and militant organisations active in border regions.
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“The police are aware of the situation and they have increased security measures, intelligence surveillance to tackle the issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commander of Bangladesh Coast Guard headquarters, AHM Shameem, said a “huge haul” of Yaba had been seized only a few days ago.
“We (Bangladesh Coast Guard) are destroying boats carrying yaba. Patrols have also been increased, to curb the smuggling of illegal drugs and arms by boats. We have also deployed more personnel and increased surveillance in maritime border regions between Bangladesh and Myanmar,” he said.
A detective report on the Rohingya refugee crisis made recommendations to the deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar for implementing stringent surveillance measures. The increased surveillance is intended to help prevent tensions, and illegal acts near or inside refugees camps.
The report also stressed the need for an immediate diplomatic initiative to return the Rohingyas to their homes in Myanmar. The NGOs providing aid in refugee camps are also to be put under surveillance.
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Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) (Intelligence and Special Affairs) Md Moniruzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are monitoring the situation closely and have taken initiatives to prevent Rohingya refugees from leaving Cox’s Bazar.”
He said different intelligence agencies are working with the police to monitor the movement of the Rohingya. “Biometric registration of the refugees is ongoing. Sufficient number of forces have been deployed in Rohingya camps to uphold law and order,” he said.
Law enforcers are also working to stop the online propaganda over the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“We have already arrested a few suspects. We have contacted Facebook and the BTRC to take those sites offline, and track down the web-page admins,” said Md Moniruzzaman.
The Chief Election Commissioner K M Nurul Huda on Tuesday said the commission was on alert about Rohingyas trying to become voters in Bangladesh.
The Myanmar army launched a brutal campaign against the Muslim Rohingya community in Rakhine State of Myanmar on August 24. Thousands of refugees began a mass exodus into Bangladesh on August 25. The Rohingya minority are denied citizenship and have suffered years of persecution in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar.