Brokers prowling Myanmar border

Amid the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, Rohingyas are crossing into Bangladesh at different points of the 270km border between the two countries.

According to Rohingya leaders, brokers are allegedly facilitating these crossings in exchange for money, helping the refugees avoid detection by law enforcement and local authorities.

At the Bangladesh border, brokers charge Rohingyas between Tk 20,000 and Tk 30,000 each, while the Arakan Army (AA) demands Tk 40,000 to Tk 50,000 at the Myanmar side of the border.

Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), a refugee camp-based organisation advocating for Rohingya rights, told The Daily Star, "The Arakan Army demands 15 lakh to 25 lakh kyat from each Rohingya to allow passage to the border."

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, speaking to reporters in Dhaka on Sunday, noted the widespread corruption at the border, which aids the Rohingya's entry into Bangladesh.

"They are not entering through a single route; they are using multiple routes, making it very difficult for law enforcers to stop them," he said.

When asked about Touhid's concerns, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury did not respond directly.

"If you go to the border, you will understand the situation. A war is happening there. You know the situation," he told journalists at the Pilkhana headquarters of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) yesterday.

Sources claimed that small groups of Rohingyas enter Bangladesh almost daily, though larger groups cannot cross as they attract the attention of law enforcement.

Over 300 Rohingyas have been waiting in the Dhuri area of Ghumdhum in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari upazila to enter Bangladesh, according to local sources and Rohingya leaders.

A Rohingya leader in Teknaf, speaking anonymously, said, "Bangladeshi brokers are charging at least Tk 20,000 per person for entry. They are also collecting Tk 20,000 for every three or four children under 10."

Due to heightened security at the Naikhongchhari border, Rohingyas are attempting to enter Bangladesh through the Keruntoli border area in Teknaf by crossing the Naf River in small boats.

"Around eight to 10 people have been entering Bangladesh each night over the past three to four days," the leader added.

Regarding the influx of Rohingyas, Home Adviser Jahangir said, "We will not allow Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh under any circumstances."

He clarified that the 60,000 Rohingyas entered the country over the past one and a half to two years, rather than in the last two months as previously reported.

He further stated that the entire border area along Myanmar is under the control of the Arakan Army. "We can communicate unofficially with them. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

Enquired about the Rohingya repatriation, the adviser noted, "I cannot provide details. You [journalists] can enquire with the foreign ministry for more information. The chief adviser has appointed an expert, and we expect positive outcomes in the future."

A tense situation has developed among Rohingyas and locals at the Myanmar border after the Arakan Army claimed full control of Maungdaw district in Rakhine State on December 8.

Anowar Faisal, a resident of Noyapara village in Teknaf, shared, "We couldn't sleep on Friday and Saturday nights when airstrikes occurred. Our homes shook as bombs were dropped from aircraft."

Zubair of ARSPH warned that a new influx of Rohingyas could happen at any moment as those on the other side of the border are being tortured by the AA.

Colonel Mahmudul Hasan, sector commander of the BGB's Ramu sector, stated, "We have intensified patrols and intelligence efforts along the 270-kilometre border. We remain on high alert to prevent any infiltration."

Bangladesh is currently hosting more than 1 million Rohingyas. As many as 750,000 members of the Muslim minority group in Myanmar's Rakhine state fled "ethnic cleansing" in their homeland in August 2017.