The issue of Rohingyas possessing NIDs and passports has triggered a multifaceted discussion. concerned authorities say that the long process of Rohingyas getting NIDs through several stages of verification involves many locals who cannot avoid responsibility.
The matter of Rohingyas getting smart cards came to light after a Rohingya miscreant, Nur Mohammad was killed in a ‘shootout’ with law enforcers.
Further investigation revealed the disappearance of official laptops as well. In this event, Election Commission (EC) office assistant Jainal Abedin and three others were arrested. Chattogram Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit was given the task of further investigation.
Two laptops were recovered from one Mostafa Faruk, whose name was not in the charge sheet.
Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram CTTC, Mohammad Shahidullah, said: “We will investigate all items found in the probe.”
On Sept 5 last, three Rohinyga men with Bangladeshi passports were detained in Chattogram. They said that the passports were obtained with help from brokers at the Noakhali Passport Office.
Noakhali Superintendent of Police Alamgir Hossain told the Bangla Tribune: “Recommendations were made to take steps against the members of the police force who gave police clearance in these cases; this is a gradual process and work has begun.”
Deputy Director of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in Chattogram-2, Sharif Uddin said: “We have come across 150 passport applications from Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram; already, 35 Rohingyas have taken passports. We will bring the ones who gave clearance to these passports to book.”
“We will question mayors, councilors and chairmen in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban who gave certificates to Rohingyas,” he added.
Director of Chattogram division passport and visa office, Md Abu Sayeed, observes: “We are unable to catch someone when all the conditions for getting a passport are fulfilled; if Rohingyas do not get the required papers then they will not get passports.”