KALADAN NEWS

 

Dated: June 11, 2004

 

What a fate of unofficial Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh!


One killed and 35 others injured in 2-day Attacks

Teknaf, June 11: One Rohingya refugee woman was killed and 35 others injured yesterday, in the makeshift camp of Teknaf, Bangladesh by the local terrorist attacks, according to our correspondent. 

In the evening of 9th June 2004, a group of local youths armed with knives and sticks suddenly came and attacked the helpless and hapless refugees. As a result, 20 refugees were injured. On resistance, the terrorists withdrew within half an hour, he further said. 

On the following day of 10th June 2004 at about 7:15 am, the organized gang of terrorists again attacked the refugee camp ferociously, killing one refugee woman, Zuhura Begum (35), and injuring 15 others including women and children. Thus a total of one refugee was killed while 35 others injured in 2-day attacks, said a refugee from the camp. 

The refugees are now living in the camp in great fear, frustration and mental distress. The local terrorists or goons have stationed by the side of the refugee camp. They still warn the refugees not to go out of the camp but to remain confined within their huts. They watch the movement of the refugees and terrorize anyone if found outside the camp. So, the refugees are unable to earn their livelihoods and facing starvation, he added. 

The cause of the attacks on refugees is related to have been connected to some tube wells donated to refugees by a local NGO. A few months back, when the local people stole the donated tube wells, refugees complained to the local authorities against 7 people. In this connection, the police arrested 2 people who were later released on bail after a few weeks in jail. Thereafter, these 2 people with the patronage of others organized attacks on refugees with a view to terrorizing the inmates so that to vacate the camp place for the landowners, said a local people from nearby village who declined to mention his name.  

Jamil, Hashimullah, Salim Ullah, Jamal Uddin, Rahmat Ullah, Yasin, Sayed Alam, Yakub, Salim, Mofiz Alam, Ms. Shamzida, Ms. Rehena and Ms. Setara Begum are among the injured refugees, he further mentioned. 

Refugees now become increasingly vulnerable. They are facing constant threat from the local terrorists on one side, while they receive no protection from the authorities on the other. 

It may be mentioned that on March 24, 2004, the refugee camp was set ablaze by the local terrorists with the same intention, in which 8 inmates were injured and their properties destroyed. 

Meanwhile, from Wednesday, June 9, 2004, Rohingya refugees in UN camp at Kutupalong under Cox’s Bazar district are going on hunger strike demanding adequate protection with full refugee status.

For further information, please contact at:

Mobile: +880-11227138

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.kaladanpress.org