Law enforcers are facing difficulty in tackling drug traders at the Rohingya camps. In the last one year, 127 persons have been killed in ‘shootouts’ with law enforcers. Of this, there are more than fifty Rohingyas, including women.
Cox’s Bazar Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammad Iqbal Hossain says: “Since the start of the anti narcotics drive, 196 persons have died so far in gunfights with the law; the police have taken a firm stance in preventing drugs.”
Law enforcers say that drug shipments from Myanmar have fallen in number but drug trade still continues near the Naf River.
It’s believed that drug dens have mushroomed in Rohingya camps and many armed groups are taking shape.
There are instances of law enforcers getting shot at when they went to carry out drug raids at the camps.
At the beginning of March 2018, the prime minister ordered the law enforcers to take a firm step against drugs and soon, a countrywide drive began. As a result, 127 persons were killed in Teknaf in the last one year.
In Cox’s Bazar district, 196 persons have been killed so far in anti drug drives.
Drug-related cases have also increased.
Company commander of RAB-15 Lieutenant Mirza Shahed Mahtab, said: “Many use the Rohingya camps for drug trade as they know that these are delicate spots and carrying our drives here will be touch.”
BGB commander of Teknaf-2, Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Khan, said: “The BGB is working day and night to prevent entry of narcotics and was able to recover the most amount of drugs in the last one year and during drives, 36 persons were killed.”