TDS Desk:

In the border areas of Alikadam upazila in Bandarban, a trafficking ring has become active, facilitating illegal entry in exchange for money. This has disrupted the security of the area, and locals fear a rise in criminal activities in the upazila.

Reports suggest that a local network is regularly bringing Rohingyas into the upazila by illegally crossing the Myanmar border. This ring is extorting large sums of money from them. Allegedly, under the cover of local administration, this group is spreading the Rohingya population across the country.

Khaleda Begum, a resident of Nayapara Union, said many Rohingyas are working as day laborers in Alikadam, leaving locals jobless.

According to Alikadam Police Station, from November 28, 2024, to January 11, 2025, 12 active members of the human trafficking ring have been arrested in two separate cases.

Lieutenant Colonel Akib Javed, the commanding officer of the 57th Border Guard Battalion (BGB), reported that from 2024 to January 15, 2025, 398 Rohingyas from Myanmar were detained and pushed back. Additionally, 12 members of the trafficking ring were apprehended by the BGB. Regular operations are underway to capture other members of this ring.

Talking to locals on-site revealed that through the remote border posts 57 and 58, traffickers, aided by locals, are bringing Rohingyas into Alikadam by crossing the border illegally. They charge Tk10,000 to Tk25,000per person for this passage.

In cases where individuals cannot pay cash, they are smuggled in exchange for gold or yaba. To facilitate these illegal crossings, the ring has developed new routes through the dense forested hills and uses remote streams.

Matching Marma, a local resident, said: “Rohingyas pose a threat to our country. At the current rate of infiltration, they will occupy all the land here. In many places, they are building homes and blending in as local residents.”

Investigations revealed that the trafficking ring smuggles Rohingyas into the country via Pouamuhuri, Kurukpata, Kalaiyachhara, Dunshikhal, Taynkhal, Merinchar, and Nayapara in Alikadam, distributing them to various parts of the country.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a Nayapara resident and BNP leader, said: “Rohingyas are deteriorating the law and order situation in the area, and the administration needs to take stricter action.”

Alikadam Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mirza Zahir Uddin said: “Two cases have been filed against the trafficking ring under the Human Trafficking Prevention and Suppression Act. Twelve members of the ring have been arrested in these cases.”

Intelligence sources disclosed that on January 11, several individuals connected to human trafficking were arrested in Alikadam’s Ma Khui Llamia Para and surrounding areas, including Md Nazrul Islam, Md Ariful Islam, Md Jamal Uddin, Md Khorshed Alam, and Md Abu Huzayfa from Chokkyang Union.

Regarding this, Alikadam Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin said: “A ring is facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingyas. The matter has been reported to the Deputy Commissioner. Alongside the BGB, police and local administration are actively working to bring all those involved under the purview of the law.”