KALADAN NEWS

Unofficial Makeshift Refugee Camp of Teknaf Relocated to Dhomdomia

Teknaf, November 12: Unofficial makeshift Refugee camp of Teknaf was relocated completely to a new place, close to Dhomdomia BDR check post of Teknaf Town on 28^th October 2004, according to Deen Mohammed, a leader of the refugee camp.

This unofficial camp was situated at Teknaf border town of Bangladesh close to Burma, set up on a private land after an army operation against illegal Rohingya immigrants in bordering areas in early 2003, he further added.

On 19^th October 2004, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar went to Teknaf to observe the situation of the refugees, especially for security and health. Afterwards, he ordered to the refugees to transfer to a new place named Dhomdomia, a place of about 6 kilometers north of Teknaf, the west bank of the Naf River, close to BDR check post. The transportation cost was borne by refugees themselves, said another refugee leader named Mohamed Sidique, from makeshift camp.

Due to frequent attacks of local gangsters on the camp, the refugees were compelled to evacuate the land and the said gangsters were engaged by the landowner to harass the refugees by various means of hurling stones, robbery, committing rape against the refugee women and young girls etc. while they are deprived of helps for their security from any quarters, he further added.

There are about 10,000 Burmese Rohingya refugees from 926 families are living at the unofficial camp at Dhomdomia village of Teknaf without any helps from any quarters, said Ayub, an Imam of the refugee camp.

Due to lack of hygienic maintenance, children are dying of diarrhea and malaria attacks, while many elders are suffering of bronchial asthma, tuberculosis and malnutrition, he further added.

When contacted UNHCR of Cox’s Bazar Office said, “ Today is holiday, we have no information about the new refugee influx.”

When asked a refugee leader named Salim regarding to new arrival refugees, said, “ There is no new arrival of refugees in our camp and I have no information about new influx of refugees but occasionally one or two families cross the Burma-Bangladesh border to take refuge in Bangladesh. Most of them are the victims of forced taxation or forced relocation etc.”

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