Three criminal groups, including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa), and seven bandit gangs are active in the Rohingya camps, according to a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence.
Regular patrolling and surveillance could not be strengthened at Tambru Konapara camp located on the zero line. As a result, it has become a hub for Arsa's organizational, training, drug smuggling and criminal activities, says the report presented at a meeting of the committee on Wednesday.
Of the 10 rogue groups, Arsa is active in Ukhiya, Balukhali, Palangkhali and Hwaikwang; the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and Master Munna Dal in Ukhiya and Palangkhali; Islami Mahaz and Zabu Dakat Dal in Hwaikwang; and Chakma Dakat Dal, Nabi Hossen Dakat Dal, Putiya Dakat Dal, Salman Shah Dakat Dal and Khalek Dakat Dal at the Nayapara camp.
The report states that Arsa has control over most of the camps, adding that turf wars between Arsa and Nabi Hossen Dakat Dal often lead to casualties.
The presence of Arsa and its criminal activities pose a security risk in the camps, the report says.
Over five years have passed since the Myanmar military crackdown in Rakhine sent nearly a million Rohingyas fleeing across the border to Bangladesh.
With a sharp decline in international funding and little prospect of repatriation anytime soon for the Rohingyas, Bangladesh continues to struggle to accommodate the refugees while fending off natural disasters, disease outbreaks and food shortages.
Many Rohingya refugees are becoming involved in criminal activities and experts fear that the camps are becoming a den for criminal groups.
