A total of 22 Rohingyas recently crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar through the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar. Among them, 14 were spotted on Thursday afternoon near Abu Siddique Market in the Teknaf bus station area.
These Rohingyas belong to the families of Mohammad Amin and Mostafa Kamal from Lombabil in Buthidaung township, Myanmar. The group comprises two women, two men, and ten children.
According to Mohammad Amin and Mostafa Kamal, they fled Myanmar by boat, crossing the Bay of Bengal via the area near Saint Martin’s Island before landing at the Maheshkhaliapara coast in Teknaf Sadar.
The ship carried a total of 22 Rohingyas;. At the same time, 8 of them managed to disperse after disembarking, the remaining 14 traveled by auto-rickshaw to the Teknaf bus station area and sought temporary shelter in a local market. Intelligence officials later intercepted them.
An intelligence officer stated that after being informed, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took the 14 Rohingyas into custody.
Lt. Col. Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Commanding Officer of the BGB’s Teknaf-2 Battalion, confirmed the incident, stating, “We have taken the 14 Rohingyas into custody. Arrangements are being made to repatriate them to Myanmar.”
Following the military conflict between Myanmar’s junta government and the Arakan Army in December last year, the Arakan Army has taken control of most areas in Rakhine State. According to UNHCR and the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office, as of May 1, around 180,000 new Rohingyas have fled Myanmar and entered Bangladesh.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
File Photo
