A gang is active in creating panic and spreading propaganda among the Rohingya refugee living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar's Teknaf over the government's move to relocate them to Bhashan Char, several officials and Rohingya families who agreed to voluntary relocation told Bangla Tribune.
In a bid to spreading panic, the Rohingyas living in Teknaf's Shalbagan, Leda and Jadimura camps are being told that Bhashan Char is a "dead island" where everyone meets death once moved there.
In addition, the gang also spreading rumours saying the relocation move is a conspiracy hatched by the governments of Myanmar and China.
"A group is attempting to carry out propaganda to stall the Rohingya relocation," said Khalid Hossain, in-charge of Refugee Relief And Repatriation Commissioner's (RRRC) Office at Teknaf's Jadimura and Shalbagan camps.
Rohingya leaders also echoed the RRRC official saying he hared of the matter.
"A gang is carrying out propaganda on the relocation to Bhashan Char at the camps. I have informed the authorities of matter," said the refugee leader, who wished to go unnamed.
Wishing anonymity, a public representative said a quarter is taking advantages of this huge number of Rohingya refugees.
Several NGO and Rohingya leaders acted behind to stall the Rohingya repartition on Aug 22. Now they are trying to foil the relocation move, the public representative said.
NUMBER OF ROHINGYAS WILLING TO RELOCATE ON THE RISE
The number of the Rohingya families who have agreed to relocate to Bahshan Char voluntarily has risen despite the ill effort to stall the relocation move, official says.
Officials said they talk about the island and with the refugees and their leaders every day and keep them updated on it by screening videos.
”At the camps under my jurisdiction, the list of Rohingyas willing to move to Bhashan Char has been collected. The figure is increasing day by day," said RRRC official Khalid.
WHAT THE REFUGEES SAY
Thirty-two-year-old Anwara Begam has agreed to the voluntary relocation to Bhashan Char with her three daughters and two sons in order to have a better life.
After hearing that refugees are calling it a "dead island", now she is afraid of moving there.
She is being told that once they move to the island none of her relatives will be allowed to see them, they won't have a good meal and their refugee status and food and other cards will be taken away.
"I have got these [rumours] in over my head. I fled Myanmar to escape trouble, what good it will bring if the problems restart after moving to the island," Anwara said.
Some people at the camps are saying Myanmar and China are behind the relocation move, she claimed and added, "Now, I am being compelled to reconsider my decision to go to Bhashan Char."
Another Rohingya woman said that the refugees are talking about the island. "Once moved there, there will be no return. Better stay here than go there. People are saying Bhashan Char gets flooded,” she said.
Rohingya leader Nur Banu said she had been willing to move to Bhashan Char as others did. But words are flying that they will be doomed and the island, too, gets flooded during monsoon.
"If it happens how will we move there?” she asked.
A leader of Leda refugee camp, Nur, however, assured that she doesn't give a damn about what the refugees are talking about Bhashan Char.
"A Rohingyas delegation must visit the island before they are to be relocated," she demanded.
ACTION AGAINST PERPETRATORS
RRRC Mahbub Alam Talukdar said action will be taken against those who are misleading the Rohingyas on the relocation to Bhashan Char.
Talukdar, however, declined to disclose the number of Rohingyas have agreed to shift to the island voluntarily.
Law enforcement also increased surveillance at the refugee camps with the rumours, Rapid Action Battalion CPC-1 Teknaf In-charge Lt Mirza Shahid Mahtab told Bangla Tribune.
"Action will be taken against those who are involved [in spreading propaganda],” he added.