Title: Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Face Surge in Deadly Violence from Within
In the refugee camps in Bangladesh, where roughly one million Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have resettled, a new threat has emerged – a surge in deadly violence from some of their own people.
Armed Rohingya groups and criminal gangs have become entrenched in the camps, operating as a “night government” and engaging in violent clashes for control. The escalating violence has added to the already dire conditions in the camps, which are plagued by disease, malnutrition, and natural disasters.
The situation has become so severe that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangladesh has declared security as the number one concern in the camps. Reports of serious security incidents have nearly tripled in the past year, prompting more Rohingya to risk dangerous boat journeys to flee.
Residents of the camps have accused local police of being ineffective or complicit in the violence. Despite police officials denying these claims, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The violence is attributed to groups like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (R.S.O.), both of which have roots in opposing the Myanmar junta. These groups are accused of committing atrocities against their own community, including killings, kidnappings, and extortion.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of opportunities for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as they are prohibited from working and moving freely. With declining international funding for the Rohingya crisis, the refugees are left with few options to support themselves and their families.
As the violence escalates, aid groups and refugees are calling for increased security measures in the camps to protect the vulnerable population. The situation highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to address the root causes of the violence and provide a better future for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
