In an effort to beef up security and surveillance arrangements for the Rohingyas, a new battalion of armed police will soon be deployed in Cox’s Bazar.
Over 700,000 of the Burmese ethnic minority have taken shelter there, fleeing from persecution in their home country.
Secretary committee on administrative development approved the 14th battalion of armed police on Nov 1.
Sources revealed that a relevant unit of police headquarters is set to begin deployment of the battalion shortly.
The government is spearheading a project titled ‘Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response’ to be implemented by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, aiming to prevent human and drug trafficking and militancy among the Rohingyas.
Police headquarters said there are risks of sheltered Rohingyas getting mixed with the natives and getting involved in crimes.
Therefore, it’s imperative that their movement is limited to a certain area.
Ensuring security for the Rohingyas is becoming increasingly difficult for the district police, which is why deployment of an additional battalion became necessary, added the police headquarters.
According to statistics of the home ministry, over 1.1 million Rohingyas are currently sheltered in Kutupalang, Thaingkhali, Noapara, Balukhali and Unchiprang camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The police headquarters proposed to form the 14th battalion in September last year with recommendation to create 850 posts.
The home ministry, however, approved 588 posts and allocated 47 vehicles for the battalion and forwarded their recommendation to the Secretary Committee.
Currently, Security Services Division of the home ministry is providing legal support in the Rohingya camps while the quick response team is working there in a makeshift control room to monitor that law and order is being maintained.