Joint forces detain around 1,000 Rohingyas living outside camps in Ukhiya
The Rohingyas were found to be living in makeshift settlements beyond the boundaries of the designated camps, in violation of existing restrictions.
Joint forces led by the Bangladesh Army have detained around 1,000 Rohingyas for living illegally outside designated refugee camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar, ahead of the upcoming national polls.
Officials said the operation began this morning (8 February) in Balukhali and surrounding areas of Palongkhali union, adding that the drive is still ongoing.
According to officials, joint forces have been deployed at the field level to maintain a peaceful election environment, with raids conducted in areas outside the camps where Rohingyas were living without authorisation.
"The detained Rohingyas had been residing with their families outside the camps for a long time without approval or notification from camp authorities," a joint forces official said, requesting anonymity.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The Rohingyas were found to be living in makeshift settlements beyond the boundaries of the designated camps, in violation of existing restrictions, the official added.
Earlier, joint forces carried out several similar drives in the Burma Colony area of Dohazari in Chattogram, detaining more than 500 Rohingyas. They were later sent back to their respective camps, according to authorities.
