Bangladeshi SIMs in full use at Rohingya camps despite govt ban

Bangladesh has recently restricted mobile phone operators from selling SIM cards to the displaced Rohingyas who have entered Bangladesh fleeing the violence in Myanmar. However, the restriction has not stopped the Rohingyas living in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district from purchasing SIM cards to stay in touch with family members and relatives in Myanmar. The locals and Rohingyas staying in Cox’s Bazar claimed to have found network of Bangladeshi mobile operators even in Myanmar’s Maungdaw and adjoining areas. The matter has been termed as a security concerns by experts. State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on September 23 said anyone found selling SIM cards to the Rohingyas will be punished. The minister, however, said the displaced Rohingyas can use state-run Teletalk phone booths at the refugee camps for free to contact with other Rohingyas living in other camps. The Dhaka Tribune found that the Rohingyas people are buying mobile SIM cards from local markets from a group of local traders for double or triple the price. Wishing anonymity, an official of a mobile phone operator company in Cox’s Bazar told the Dhaka Tribune: “There are more than 200,000 Bangladesh SIM card users between Kutupalong and Noapara.” As SIM cards cannot be sold without biometric registration, some local traders are using are forging documents to sell SIMs to the Rohingyas. The official said: “Traders take fingerprints from unaware and illiterate locals saying their fingerprints had not shown up correctly in the previous documents and later use these to sell SIM cards to the Rohingyas at a high price. “The Rohingyas also buy them because they have to keep contact with their relatives in Myanmar.” The Rohingyas are compelled to break the law as the Teletalk booths are not for frequent use, one Rashida Banu told the Dhaka Tribune. Harun-or-Rashid, a local businessman of Ratnapalong under Ukhiya upazila, said recently he got a call from the customer care service of a mobile phone operator asking him whether he uses 80 SIMs of their company. “I was shocked after hearing it. Later, I told them about the SIM card seller who took my fingerprints repeatedly saying that my fingerprint was not properly visible.” He said mobile company has now blocked the SIMs that are not being used him.

Mobile charging station at Ukhiya Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar | Tarek Mahmud/Dhaka Tribune

Harun said: “The customer care officer informed me that the SIM cards were used in Kutupalang area where the number of Rohingyas exceeds the number of locals.” Harun added that he got involved in a conflict with the SIM card trader but refused to disclose his name to avoid conflicts in the future. Rafiqul Islam, a shopkeeper from Court Bazar, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Some 10 to 12 traders from our market are engaged in such unethical activities.” During visits to the Rohingya camps, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent noticed several mobile phone charging points where the Rohingyas charge their mobile phones and hide them after use. Mustak Ahmed, who came to Balukahli camp on September 4, was found using a mobile phone with two activated Bangladeshi SIM cards. He said he purchased the SIM cards for Tk800 from the local market without any fingerprint. Another Rohingya named Mohammad Faisal said he purchased a SIM card for Tk500 and the seller informed him that it was not necessary for him to give his fingerprint. “A total of 10 mobile phone booths were set up at Kutupalaung camp but a few people use them,” said Hanfa, who lives in Kutupalaung block 2 after feeling the violence in Maungdaw. Bashar Ali said: “I came here during the tensions in 2016 and bought a SIM card for Tk250 but now I have to pay double to purchase a new SIM.” Security specialist Major General (retd) Abdur Rashid said: “Bangladesh’s mobile phone networks are found in Myanmar. How is that possible? The government should look into the matter.” Cox’s Bazar Bachao Andolon’s General Secretary Advocate Ayasur Rahman expressed concern over the issue. Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Md Afzurul Haque Tutul told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are strictly monitoring the matter. We take quick action as soon as we get any complaint. “Mobile court has already sentenced 20 people for illegally selling SIM cards.” According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 603,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh fleeing the violence which erupted in Myanmar on August 25 Intelligence agencies say as the Rohingya are conveying message to their relatives in Myanmar about the better options in Bangladesh, which may be the reason behind the fresh influx.