Several criminal gangs have become active in the 34 Rohingya camps at Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf.

A spot visit to the camps and police reports revealed that these gangs regularly patrol the area with firearms and carry out murder, rape, mugging and extortion.

Moreover, behind the scenes of the situation which is grimmer at night, are reportedly the camps in charge who aid these gangs.

Cox’s Bazar District Superintendant of police ABM Masud Hossain said that the entire area is vulnerable due to the large number of people living together.

“Some Rohingyas are trying to actively gang-up to carry out criminal activities. Hence we are trying to monitor them round the clock,” he told Bangla Tribune.

He added that even though they have been able to keep things under control so far, a new plan must soon be put into place for the future.

Meanwhile, sources at the detective branch said that the Rohingya insurgent group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is most active in these camps with at least 135 members.

The gang is followed by that of Nabi group with at least 72 active members, Mars group with 29 groups led by Dil Mohammad, Kalim Ullah gang with 20 members and another gang of 76 led by Shahidul Islam.

According to people familiar with the matter, these criminals take refuge in the hills surrounding the camps.

They said that these groups hold meetings in the remote camps and since there is no proper communication system, the law enforcers can’t immediately reach the spots when tipped off.

Communication and lack of access make it harder for the police to catch the criminals who often hideout in the hills.

A source claimed that the camps in charge aid these criminals in their activities.

According to a police report, in April last year police arrested the leader of Nabi group Nabi Hossain from the house of a camp in charge who was giving him shelter.

Nabi was bailed out a few days later and reportedly resumed criminal activities.

The report further said that on May 27 of this year, the same camp in charge was holding meetings with criminal groups including that of Nabi.

He allegedly helped them escape by shutting down power when police reached the scene.

Detective branch sources said that they have the intelligence of banned militant outfits such as Ansar Al Islam, Harkatul Jihad Al Islami, Bangladesh were working with the criminals.

Although they are reportedly working to liberate Arkan, they still pose a threat to Bangladesh, they said.

Police employees are of the view that unrest at the camps is likely if the repatriation is delayed. They added that criminal activities will soar if the aid organisations reduce support and effective steps must be taken to keep the situation stable.