Ukhiya locals demand swift repatriation of Rohingyas, stopping further infiltration
They also called for ensuring the safety of local residents, giving priority to locals (at least 50%) in camp management and job opportunities
Residents of Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila today (3 January) placed a seven-point demand, including swift repatriation of Rohingyas through diplomatic efforts, preventing their free movement outside camps, and stopping further border infiltration.
The demands were placed at a human chain organised by the "Palongkhali Rights Implementation Committee" on Shaheed ATM Jafar Alam Arakan Road of the upazila.
Apart from the committee, several hundred people from various political and social organisations participated in the event.
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They also called for ensuring the safety of local residents, giving priority to locals (at least 50%) in camp management and job opportunities, and preventing Rohingyas from renting houses outside the camp.
Additionally, the locals demand the formation of a monitoring cell involving the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), district administration, and local representatives to ensure transparency in the recruitment process for camp jobs.
At the human chain, Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, former chairman of Ukhiya Upazila Parishad and convener of the upazila BNP, claimed that the law and order situation is deteriorating day by day due to the Rohingyas. Theft, robbery, kidnapping, and various other crimes are on the rise, he said.
"Even after nearly eight years, not a single Rohingya has been sent back to Myanmar. In the last few months, nearly a million new Rohingyas have infiltrated. If this situation continues, the lives and security of the locals in Ukhiya and Teknaf will be further jeopardised."
Demanding the implementation of the seven-point demand, the political leader said, "Locals are suffering from various hardships and discrimination due to sheltering the Rohingyas.
"Therefore, locals should be given priority in employment in domestic and foreign organisations. For this, a monitoring cell should be formed with the participation of the district administration and RRRC office to implement it," he added.
Sarwar warned that there is a risk of infiltration by Rohingyas as well as members of terrorist groups if the Border Guard Bangladesh and other relevant authorities do not maintain strict surveillance at the border.
Also speaking at the event, Rabiul Hossain, president of the Palongkhali Rights Implementation Committee, said, "The authorities must take steps to implement the seven-point demand raised by the locals within the next month.
"If the demands are not met, various programmes, including road blockades, will be announced."
