A controversy has emerged over the construction of a new type of two-storey housing in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
Locals said the use of concrete bases, steel structures, and hill-cutting for road construction suggests the infrastructure is “not temporary, but an indication of permanent settlement.” The Forest Department has also raised objections, saying hills have been cut during the construction process.
However, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC) and UNHCR said the structures are still temporary.
At least 888 two-storey shelters are being built in Extension ‘E’ Block of Camp-4 in Kutupalong, with around 80–90 percent of the work already completed. The Forest Department said hills have been flattened for construction and roads about 10 feet wide have been built.
Statements were sought from UNHCR, the RRRC, and the Forest Department regarding the issue.
Forest Department alleges hill cutting
Ukhiya Range Officer of Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division, Abdul Mannan, said, “Two-storey steel-structured shelters are being constructed for Rohingyas in Camp-4 after cutting hills. We have come to know about the matter and strongly protested it.
“This is reserved forest land. However, as the camp area is under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities, we are unable to exercise direct control. Hundreds of workers are involved, so construction is progressing rapidly. Around 800–900 shelters are already 80–90 percent complete.”
He said the work is causing significant environmental damage, including hill cutting and deforestation. “We tried to resist from our position, but given the scale of the work, it was not effective.”
He added, “The area was previously reserved forest land. The extent of land leveling indicates hills have been cut. You should also take statements from the RRRC and camp authorities.”
Commissioner says “nothing permanent”
RRRC Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said the structures are being misinterpreted.
He said the shelters are being built based on a design approved by an inter-ministerial committee around 2021–22.
“Although steel structures are being used, they are assembled with nuts and bolts so they can be dismantled easily. This is not a permanent structure,” he said.
Regarding the use of concrete, he said, “It is not a full concrete base; rather, a floor-like foundation is being provided so the structure does not sit directly on the ground.” He added that work has been temporarily halted following objections over hill cutting.
UNHCR says “improved design for safety”
UNHCR said the new shelters are designed to improve disaster resilience.
Mosharraf Hossain, communications officer of UNHCR Bangladesh, said bamboo and plastic sheets remain the primary materials, with steel pipes of up to three inches in diameter used, and the structures are connected with nuts and bolts so they can be dismantled easily.
“These shelters under construction are not permanent structures and do not indicate any change in the temporary nature of Rohingya stay in Bangladesh. The design has been approved by the relevant authorities. It reflects a collective humanitarian effort to ensure safer living conditions, while respecting Bangladesh’s long-standing position that safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation remains the ultimate solution,” he said.
Local concerns
A clear gap is visible between ground realities and policy positions.
On one hand, locals see hill cutting, road construction, and two-storey structures as signs of a long-term presence. On the other, government and international agencies insist the shelters are improved but temporary solutions.
Palongkhali Union Parishad Chairman M Gofur Uddin Chowdhury said the construction is concerning.
“If strong infrastructure is built, it may pave the way for permanent settlement of Rohingyas, which could hinder the repatriation process,” he said.
On the coast of Cox’s Bazar, the waves do not always carry water. At times, they bring stories of grief, disappearance, and long, silent waiting. Along the shores of Teknaf, the sound of crashing waves now echoes with the cries of countless mothers asking, “Where is my son?”
In the narrow lanes of Shah Porir Dwip, in open fields at dusk, and along the Naf River—places once filled with children’s laughter, football games, and dreams—uncertainty now casts a shadow.
In Teknaf, nightfall brings more than darkness; it brings fear. Dreams drift away across the sea, while families remain onshore, waiting in endless anxiety and sorrow.
Anas lured into disappearance
Mohammad Anas, a 14-year-old boy from Shah Porir Dwip, was a seventh-grade student at Haji Bashir Ahmed High School. Football was his dream, and that dream led him into darkness.
Local traffickers lured him with promises of playing football abroad. He was later sold to another trafficking group for 40,000 taka and taken onto a boat, allegedly bound for Malaysia.
The last contact with his family came through a phone call. From the other end, a ransom of 300,000 taka was demanded, with threats of killing him if the money was not paid.
The family borrowed money to meet the demand. But even after three months, Anas has not returned.
“We paid the money, but did not get our son back,” said his mother, Shomuda Begum. “They took him away with promises of football. Later they threatened to kill him and took three lakh taka. Still, they have not returned my son. I went to the police, but received no justice.”
The family alleged that the accused traffickers continue to move openly in the area without effective action taken against them.
Shomuda Begum said they paid the money to relatives of a broker named Ibrahim, who is reportedly in Malaysia, through his nephew Faruk. “We paid three lakh taka, but still have not got our son back,” she said, adding that complaints were filed with police and local representatives, but no resolution has come.
Disappeared while playing
Abdur Rahman, from a modest family in North Para of Shah Porir Dwip, lived a normal life filled with laughter and dreams.
One afternoon, he went out to play and never returned.
At first, the family thought he might be with friends. But as hours turned into days, concern turned into fear.
A few days later, a call came from an unknown number. The voice on the other end said he had been trafficked to Malaysia through local brokers.
What followed was a nightmare.
His brother, Abdus Salam, said, “After taking him to Malaysia, they demanded three lakh taka. They threatened to kill him if we did not pay. We are poor people. It is impossible for us to arrange such money.”
Every day now passes in uncertainty for the family—waiting for a call, hoping for any news, staring at the door in anticipation.
Whether Abdur Rahman is still alive remains unknown.
Alarming statistics
According to law enforcement data:
From 2016 to 2025, a total of 3,134 people attempting to go to Malaysia were rescued in Cox’s Bazar. Most of them were Rohingya. A total of 115 cases were filed in Ukhiya and Teknaf police stations. Around 1,100 people were accused. About 600 traffickers were arrested.
On January 4 this year, the navy rescued 263 victims, including women and children, from the sea southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. Ten members of trafficking groups were detained.
New routes and methods of trafficking
Residents alleged that trafficking activities have recently increased around Gholar Char in Shah Porir Dwip.
According to them, the network operates in several stages.
First, local brokers target teenagers and young men, offering dreams of football careers or better jobs abroad. In some cases, victims are abducted directly while outside their homes.
Second, victims are quickly moved to hidden locations before families can begin searching. They are then taken to remote coastal points where small trawlers are prepared.
Third, under the cover of night, they are transported into deep sea, where they are transferred to larger vessels heading toward Malaysia or Thailand.
Fourth, ransom demands begin. Families said traffickers based abroad call and demand large sums of money. They threaten torture or death if the money is not paid. In some cases, victims’ cries or sounds of abuse are played over the phone to pressure families.
Fifth, even after ransom is paid, many victims never return. Some remain missing, while others are feared dead.
Investigations indicate that both local brokers and an international network are involved. Local recruiters hand over victims to overseas operatives, and ransom money is shared among them.
Families alleged that many of these traffickers have operated for years and remain beyond the reach of law due to local influence.
There are also allegations that many victims are taken by force.
Trafficking through 15 coastal points
At least 15 points in Teknaf are reportedly used regularly for trafficking under the cover of darkness, according to the reporter’s findings. A well-organized network of brokers is said to be involved.
Multiple local sources, intelligence reports, and victim accounts identified several individuals allegedly linked to trafficking networks in Shah Porir Dwip and surrounding areas. Attempts to contact the accused for comment were unsuccessful.
Police response: “Operations ongoing”
Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam of Teknaf Model Police Station said, “Human trafficking is an international crime. We are highly active in preventing it. Regular operations are ongoing, and several suspects have already been arrested.”
He added that recent information about boats heading to Malaysia is being verified, and surveillance in coastal areas has been strengthened.
Waiting in despair
An invisible fear now grips the coast of Teknaf. Just as waves return to the shore, will the lost sons return home?
Anas’s mother still waits at the door, startled by every sound, hoping it might be her son returning. But as time passes, that hope fades.
A simple temptation, a single call—“Will you go abroad to play?”—and boys like Anas disappear.
Those small steps that left home never return. Calls come, demands come, fear comes—but the person never comes back.
On the occasion of World Health Day, a report by Bay Insight revealed a concerning picture of mental health services in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. From 2018 to February 2026, more than 240,000 Rohingya received individual counselling, while over 43,000 patients sought treatment from psychiatrists, according to data from the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which provides healthcare services to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Health workers said the demand for mental health services among Rohingya continues to rise due to violence, displacement, and prolonged stress of camp life.
However, in contrast to this progress, there is no structured government mental health service or specialist doctor available for the local population in Cox’s Bazar, highlighting a worrying gap.
Rising demand at the start of the year
In January and February this year alone, 7,616 people received individual mental health counselling, while 3,593 sought psychiatric consultation in the camps.
Although the services are open to both Rohingya and host communities, the majority of patients are Rohingya.
A field-level counsellor, requesting anonymity, said, “New patients are coming every day. Many initially think they have physical problems, but later it turns out to be psychological.”
Long shadow of trauma
A large number of Rohingya who fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017 continue to carry deep trauma. Uncertainty in the camps, lack of employment, and insecurity are making their mental health conditions more complex.
A resident of Kutupalong camp, using the pseudonym Rahima Begum, said, “I cannot sleep at night. Memories come back. I am always worried about my children. Sometimes I feel like I am losing my mind.”
Health workers said such experiences are no longer rare, but widespread.
Common mental health conditions
Doctors identified the most common conditions in the camps as depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and bipolar mood disorder.
Experts said effective treatment requires not only medication but also regular counselling and psychosocial support.
MSF’s integrated care model
Dr Ashish Kumar Das, Deputy Country Representative (Medical) at MSF, said, “Effective mental healthcare requires a combination of medication and structured counselling. We provide both through our mental health units.”
MSF units are staffed with trained doctors, clinical psychologists, and counsellors, ensuring evidence-based and integrated care.
Limited services for locals
However, mental health services for the local population in Cox’s Bazar remain limited. Superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, Mong Tin Nyo, said there is currently no psychiatrist and no dedicated mental health department at the hospital.
He said plans are underway to introduce a separate unit with psychiatrists and counsellors in the near future.
Local resident Jahangir Alam said, “We don’t even know where to go if we face mental health issues. Having such services in government hospitals would help us a lot.”
Challenges ahead
While progress in mental health services in the Rohingya camps is notable, many people still remain outside treatment. At the same time, the lack of adequate services for the host community remains a major challenge.
The situation in Cox’s Bazar highlights one clear message on World Health Day: mental healthcare is now an essential part of humanitarian response, especially for displaced and vulnerable populations.
After remaining largely inactive for nearly a year, operations at Teknaf Land Port have been officially resumed following an announcement by State Minister for Shipping, Mohammad Rajib Ahsan. However, despite the government’s decision, stakeholders have expressed concerns over security, river routes, and the practical realities of cross-border trade.
During a visit to the port on Monday (April 6), the minister said the decision to resume operations was made in response to public demand and after discussions with all relevant parties. “We have decided to restart the port’s activities from today,” he said.
He added that security would be ensured through coordinated efforts by the port authority, customs, Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and other law enforcement agencies. Measures would also be taken to prevent the involvement of Rohingyas in port activities.
Despite the announcement, business representatives who attended the meeting said the situation on the ground is far from straightforward.
Abed Ahsan Sagar, a former director of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told that security concerns were the main reason behind the prolonged suspension. “We felt that objections from security agencies, particularly BGB and the Coast Guard, played a key role. Their stance was largely negative,” he said.
According to him, the concerns include potential smuggling through the port, misuse of certain goods such as cement and rods, and broader risks linked to the border situation.
He also said discussions were held about installing security posts inside the port, a proposal opposed by business leaders due to the port’s existing legal framework.
A key proposal raised during the meeting was the installation of scanners to monitor goods. “The minister said scanners would be installed so that goods can be verified during loading and unloading. BGB can carry out inspections at gates or checkpoints if needed,” Sagar said.
However, despite the official reopening, trade activities have yet to resume.
Jasim Uddin, the port’s general manager, said the port was already operational in principle. “We are ready. Once goods start arriving, operations will begin. Only then will the real situation become clear,” he said.
Complicating matters further is the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Since December 2024, the Arakan Army has taken control of large parts of the region and established influence over the Naf River, leading to allegations of extortion targeting cargo vessels.
Business leaders said simply reopening the port will not resolve these issues.
Sagar said vessels often need to pass through Myanmar waters, forcing traders to pay various groups. “If dredging is carried out, an alternative route could be created, reducing these risks,” he said, warning that without it, the port may become inactive again.
Traders also claimed that a significant amount of money remains stuck with Myanmar businessmen “Around $9 million is held in draft form. Once goods start moving, this can be adjusted,” Sagar said.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, a former president of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber, welcomed the decision, saying it would benefit traders by allowing cheaper imports of essentials like onions, ginger, and garlic, while also boosting government revenue.
However, he noted that the responsibility of sending goods lies with traders on the Myanmar side. “We don’t deal with the Arakan Army, we deal with the businessmen across the border,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commanding officer of Teknaf 2 BGB Battalion Lt Col Hanifur Rahman said they remain within the scope of the minister’s directives. “Security issues have been discussed and necessary steps are being taken,” he said, adding that strengthening internal security structures is underway.
Cross-border trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar began in 1995, and Teknaf Land Port was officially inaugurated on November 5, 2003, on 27 acres of land.
However, import activities effectively came to a halt after April 13, 2025, when the last timber-laden trawler arrived.
Although the government’s announcement has reopened the door, the pace of normalization in trade will depend on border security, navigability of river routes, and the situation in Myanmar.
Police have raised questions over statements made by the prime accused, Tarek, in the widely discussed murder case of Khorshed Alam, a student activist known as a “July fighter” and a member of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
An official involved in the investigation said Tarek told police he saw co-accused Rakib and several others at the scene during the incident.
The officer questioned the claim, saying, “If he was not involved, how did he see others at the scene? Did he observe it from a distance with binoculars?
Investigators said technological analysis has provided a key breakthrough. According to officials, Rakib’s presence near the crime scene on the day of the incident has been confirmed through mobile phone location data and other digital trails. They said this information has added a new dimension to the investigation and is being treated as a vital lead in verifying his possible involvement.
Law enforcement officials said the probe is currently focused on two suspects. “Two individuals have been arrested on suspicion, and there are initial indications of their involvement,” a police official told Bay Insight, adding that the probe appears to be on the right track and is being examined further.
Investigating officer Chinmoy Barua said Tarek was arrested within 12 hours of the incident, while Rakib was detained from court premises when he surrendered in a separate case. However, neither has yet been taken on remand, and police plan to seek remand soon for further questioning.
Investigators are also examining relationships and communication patterns among those involved. A woman identified as Tarin is being discussed due to her prior contact with the victim, although no evidence of her involvement has been confirmed so far. An official said Khorshed had called Tarin before the incident.
CCTV footage from before and after the incident is being analyzed, though officials said not all details can be disclosed at this stage. Footage reviewed by Bay Insight shows Tarek near Hotel Prasad Paradise at Sugandha Point around 9:30 pm on the night of the incident. However, no footage has been found after that time, with hotel authority saying the relevant footage was deleted.
Local businessmen said Tarek was playing Ludo there for some time, though none could specify the exact duration.
A roommate of Tarek gave a different account, saying Tarek returned home after securing bail in another case, freshened up, and even danced before going out again later. He said they later went to Sugandha Point, where Tarek sat down to play Ludo with friends. The roommate claimed he later found Tarek missing and was told over the phone that he had returned home.
He also said, some members of a group known locally as ‘Fakir Group’ arrived on motorcycles looking for Tarek.
Tarek’s mother, however, claimed her son is innocent. She said he returned home after playing Ludo, ate dinner, and went to sleep. According to her, he later traveled from Cox’s Bazar to their home in Ramu that night.
Police said they are also reviewing previous criminal records of the suspects. “This group has a history of various criminal activities. Their record is not good,” an officer said.
Officials said preliminary findings suggest involvement of the arrested individuals, but no final conclusion has been reached. “Everything indicates they may be involved, but the investigation is ongoing,” an official said.
Khorshed Alam was stabbed to death around 10:30 pm on March 24 at Kabita Square in Cox’s Bazar town. He was rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police said a group of attackers surrounded and stabbed him. Tarin, who was with the victim at the time, told journalists that a group of miscreants demanded valuables before the attack, and Khorshed was stabbed following an allegation involving an attack on a person named Arif.
Officer-in-Charge Chomiuddin of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station said witnesses and close associates of the victim are being questioned, and efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved.
In the Rohingya camps of Cox’s Bazar, concern is rising not over measles but due to a fresh surge in chickenpox, a disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus.
Health officials said infections have increased abnormally in recent months, spreading rapidly among children in the densely populated camps.
Dr Tohа Bhuiyan, health coordinator of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, said, “In the past three months, 8,769 people have been infected with chickenpox in the Rohingya camps. In contrast, the number was only 1,355 in the last six months of the previous year.”
He added, “Comparatively, infections of measles and rubella are now under control. In the past three months, only four children were found infected with Measles and one with Rubella.”
Health officials said routine vaccination programmes have helped control measles and rubella, but stronger awareness and prevention measures are needed to tackle chickenpox.
Dr Bhuiyan noted that children in the camps are receiving vaccines regularly under scheduled immunisation programmes.
Crowded conditions accelerate spread
Health workers said cramped living conditions, shared spaces and limited ability to maintain hygiene are accelerating the spread of infection in the camps.
Nurjahan, a resident of Kutupalong camp, said, “My son suddenly developed rashes followed by fever. We are trying to isolate him, but it is very difficult as we all live in one room.”
Another parent, Mohammad Idris, said, “Once one person gets infected, others quickly catch it. It is becoming very difficult to control the children.”
What is chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, typically more common at the end of winter and during spring.
It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person—making densely populated camps particularly vulnerable.
Symptoms and duration
Symptoms usually appear within 10 to 21 days of infection and last for one to two weeks.
Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and itchy fluid-filled blisters.
Stages of the disease
The disease progresses in stages, starting with an incubation period of 10 to 21 days without symptoms. This is followed by early signs such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and headache one to two days before the rash appears.
The rash then develops from red spots to fluid-filled blisters, which eventually dry and form scabs.
What to do if infected
Health experts advise isolating the infected person, keeping nails short to avoid skin damage from scratching, ensuring adequate fluid intake, and taking medication for fever and itching as prescribed by a doctor. Oily and spicy foods should be avoided.
Vaccination remains the most effective prevention
Experts said the most effective way to prevent chickenpox is vaccination. They also advised seeking medical attention immediately if severe symptoms such as high fever, breathing difficulties, or excessive pus from blisters appear.
Need for increased monitoring
Health officials stressed that raising awareness, early detection of cases and proper isolation measures are essential to control the outbreak.
Otherwise, the disease may spread rapidly among thousands of people living in limited space in the camps.
The Eid they dreamed of celebrating beyond barbed wire will once again be spent under tin and tarpaulin roofs in refugee camps. Muhammad Yunus’s time is up, but the Rohingyas’ wait is not.
After taking charge as chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus struck a hopeful tone on resolving the Rohingya crisis. His international standing, Nobel laureate status and diplomatic reach raised fresh expectations in the camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf. The most visible symbol of that hope was his statement: “The next Eid will be in Myanmar.”
But time passed. The national election is scheduled for February 12. Eid is approaching. And the Rohingyas remain exactly where they were—inside the hill-ringed camps of Cox’s Bazar.
Another year of waiting for the ‘promised Eid’
Abdus Salam, 45, a resident of Kutupalong camp in Ukhiya, said, “We were truly preparing ourselves. It felt like this time it might really happen. Now we understand it was just words.”
Eid in the camps is not a celebration but a renewed reminder of another lost year. On Eid morning, limited rations are cooked in bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters. There is no festivity, no joy of meeting relatives back home.
A Rohingya teenage girl captures the generational crisis: “I grew up in Bangladesh. But Bangladesh is not my country, and Myanmar no longer recognises me.”
The Yunus chapter ends, the issue remains
With the February 12 election, the Yunus chapter is closing. But observers say the Rohingya crisis has once again slipped down the list of priorities.
Human rights activist Kalim Ullah said, “The Rohingyas are now geopolitical orphans. Everyone speaks of sympathy, but no one wants responsibility.”
Nearly one million Rohingyas who fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017 have seen no visible progress towards repatriation even after eight years. According to UNHCR, about 1.1 million Rohingyas live in Bangladesh, while unofficial estimates put the figure close to 1.5 million.
No national policy, no representation
Syed Ullah, president of the United Council for Rohingya, said, “There is still no national policy for 1.3 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh. Without representative inclusion, this crisis cannot be resolved.” He said they had pinned hopes on Yunus.
“Without political and economic stability, nothing is possible. We pray to Allah that stability returns to Bangladesh,” he added.
‘We want to return with dignity’
Mohammad Arafat, operations manager of the Rohingya Art Club and a painter, said, “We want to return with dignity and security. Any decision taken by the UN and the Bangladesh government must ensure the safety of our community.”
Yunus’s statement: emotion or strategy?
Researchers are divided on whether Muhammad Yunus’s promise on Rohingya repatriation was an emotional remark or a strategic message.
Professor Rahman Nasir Uddin of Chittagong University’s anthropology department, who has worked on the Rohingya issue for years, said Yunus’s statement should not be taken lightly.
He recalled that on March 14, 2025, Yunus had said, “Next year you will celebrate Eid in your own land,” adding that such a statement could not have been made casually.
“Given his position as head of an interim government and a Nobel laureate, this was not something he would say out of sheer emotion,” the professor said.
He suggested two possible explanations. “One is that he genuinely wanted to initiate a solution, at least to kick-start the repatriation process and send a strong message to the international community.”v
The other possibility, he said, was creating media sensation and seeking cheap popularity. “An image was built that a Nobel laureate would fix everything in a year. But the reality is, this was not realistic.”
Government’s stance: ‘Expectation, not a promise’
The government has described Yunus’s remark not as a promise but as an expression of hope.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said the statement reflected the region’s social and religious context around Eid.
“In this region, Eid means going back to villages, visiting parents and ancestors’ graves. Rohingyas have been stuck here for eight years. From that human emotion came the wish that next Eid they would go home,” he said.
It was a wish, not a commitment.
He stressed that the solution does not lie in Bangladesh’s hands alone. “This depends primarily on Myanmar and on ensuring Rohingyas’ safety and consent. Bangladesh is only one part of the equation. If it were solely in our hands, the crisis would not have dragged on for eight years.”
Interim government efforts: keeping the issue alive internationally
Mizanur Rahman said the interim government had tried to revive international attention to the crisis within its limited tenure.
“There was a special conference at the UN. A three-day international conference was held in Bangladesh. The issue was raised with the UN secretary-general. High-level international representatives visited,” he said.
According to him, the Rohingya issue had lost global focus.
We tried to bring it back to the table and maintain international pressure. This is a continuous process. If it continues, a solution may eventually emerge.
Repatriation and funding crisis: ‘We haven’t lost hope’
The commissioner said Bangladesh keeps raising the issue internationally for two reasons: repatriation and the welfare of the huge Rohingya population currently hosted.
“Funding is now a major challenge. International assistance is needed to ensure food, health and security,” he said, adding that Bangladesh remains hopeful as long as the issue stays alive globally.
No priority in political agendas
Professor Rahman Nasir Uddin noted that none of the major political parties likely to come to power have outlined a clear roadmap for resolving the Rohingya crisis in their election manifestos.
“This shows the crisis is not a priority agenda,” he said. “That is deeply concerning for the state, as this is a long-term challenge for Bangladesh’s security, economy and diplomacy.”
BNP-nominated candidate for the Ukhiya-Teknaf constituency Shahjahan Chowdhury echoed the political reality. “I can’t say what plan or intention Professor Yunus had. But the reality is that in such a short time, especially with elections ahead, a visible solution was impossible.”
This isn’t Aladdin’s lamp,” he said. “His time has ended, but the burden will remain on whoever comes next. If it isn’t handled seriously, it will only grow more complex.
‘No legitimate government in Rakhine’
Palongkhali Union Parishad Chairman Gafur Uddin Chowdhury said recent violence, conflict and Myanmar’s military coup have made effective communication extremely difficult.
“There is no legitimate, functional government in Rakhine now. In this situation, safe and dignified repatriation remains highly uncertain,” he said, adding that Yunus’s earlier comment may have been emotional or based on a different context.
State agreements outlast governments
Referring to the 2017 repatriation agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Professor Rahman Nasir Uddin said, “This was a deal between two states, not two governments. Governments may change, but the responsibility to pursue the agreement remains.”
He said a new government could still prioritise repatriation using that framework.
UNHCR: conditions not conducive for return
Responding by email, UNHCR spokesperson Shari Nijman said conditions in Myanmar are still not conducive to safe, dignified and sustainable return.
Rohingyas, she said, consistently express willingness to return if conditions improve, but the fundamental requirements have not been met. These include access to original places of residence, freedom of movement, basic services, livelihoods, and a clear path to citizenship and legal identity.
UNHCR noted that these depend on Myanmar’s full political commitment, which is currently absent. Since early 2024, renewed conflict and persecution have forced an estimated 150,000 Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh, further complicating the situation.
The agency described the situation in Rakhine State as “extremely concerning,” citing widespread violence, intercommunal tensions and structural discrimination. About 536,000 stateless people there remain deprived of basic rights, including healthcare, education, livelihoods, freedom of movement and citizenship.
UNHCR stressed that a sustainable solution cannot be delivered by humanitarian agencies alone and requires sustained political engagement by the international community. It said it would continue supporting Bangladesh in humanitarian assistance and protection while backing initiatives that promote Rohingya self-reliance and preparedness for eventual return.
For the next government, the Rohingya crisis remains as daunting as ever. Without a national policy, diplomatic assertiveness and a multi-dimensional approach, analysts say, the crisis will persist.
For now, only one thing is certain: Yunus’s time has run out, but the Rohingyas’ journey home has not begun. Another Eid is coming, but the wait to go home feels endless.
Cox’s Bazar is facing a complex reality shaped by a tourism-dependent economy, the Rohingya crisis, mega projects, weak governance, corruption, fragile infrastructure and the absence of an investment-friendly environment. At a citizens’ dialogue titled “What Kind of Cox’s Bazar Do We Want”, local entrepreneurs, politicians, lawyers, business leaders, social activists and environmentalists spoke candidly about poor planning, policy gaps and the lack of accountable leadership.
Speakers said much of what is happening in the name of development is unplanned. There is no integrated policy framework and no effective accountability, causing the country’s most prominent tourist city to gradually lose its path to sustainable development.
The citizen dialogue was held on January 24 at the DPHE WASH Conference Hall in Cox’s Bazar town organized jointly by Junior Chamber International (JCI), Cox’s Bazar and Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance, Dhaka (CCAD). Bay Insight Media Group was associated as the research and analysis partner at this event.
—– No Money Exchange Houses in the Tourist City, Investors Face Serious Difficulties
Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance (CCAD) member Shah Newaz Chowdhury said that despite being an international tourist destination, Cox’s Bazar does not have a single proper money exchange house.
“Go anywhere in the world, in any tourist destination, you will see exchange houses on every road. But I have not seen any in Cox’s Bazar. If foreign investors come, how will they exchange dollars?” he said.
He added that in reality such services are being informally provided beside hotels, in small shops or even at bus counters. Without proper government oversight, structural improvements are impossible, he said. “There is no policy here, yet everything is happening in an unplanned way. By the time policies are formulated, everything may already be ruined,” he added.
—– Absence of Rule of Law, Crisis of Integrity the Core Problem
Senior lawyer Mohammad Jahangir said the core obstacle to solving Cox’s Bazar’s problems is the absence of the rule of law and integrity. “Those who speak loudly into microphones and make laws do not follow the law themselves,” he said, pointing to social double standards such as anti-smoking events attended by smokers and anti-drug programmes led by people reeking of alcohol. “When leaders speak against corruption but practice it themselves, why would ordinary people follow the rules?” he asked.
He also questioned the lack of female representation, saying commitments such as ensuring five percent women candidates are not being honoured. Addressing political aspirants, he said they must publicly pledge that they may lose elections, but will not allow democracy or the rule of law to lose, otherwise free and fair elections will remain impossible.
——- Mega Projects Taken Over by Outsiders, Local Entrepreneurs Left Deprived
Cox’s Bazar District Bar Association President Syed Alam said that if things continue as they are, even another 20 to 40 years will not bring real development in Cox’s Bazar. He recalled proposing in 2004 that the tourism sector be handed over to local entrepreneurs, a suggestion that was ignored. “Now we see large mega projects being taken over by outsiders. Corruption has occurred, driven by the percentage interests of powerful groups,” he said.
On the Rohingya issue, he warned against what he described as international conspiracies, saying that granting Bangladeshi passports would strengthen Myanmar’s claims. ——– No Solution to the Rohingya Crisis Without a Stake in Rakhine
NCP Cox’s Bazar General Secretary Omar Faruk said the opportunity to use a humanitarian corridor to resolve the Rohingya crisis was missed. “The problem is in Rakhine. To solve it, Bangladesh must have a stake there,” he said, noting that China and India have expanded their influence in Rakhine since 2017. Without pragmatic diplomacy, reopening the Teknaf land port will not be possible, he added. ——- Development Impossible Without Honest Leadership
Jamaat-e-Islami Cox’s Bazar district General Secretary Jahedul Islam said the country has lacked accountable governance for decades. “Those who have ruled over the past 54 years have siphoned off thousands of crores of taka abroad and looted banks. That is why honest leadership is essential,” he said.
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Cox’s Bazar’s Potential Lies in the Salt Industry
Cox’s Bazar Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Jahanara Islam said that still asking what kind of Cox’s Bazar people want reflects collective failure. She said salt is the district’s biggest industry, yet no industrial transformation has taken place. “The key to our fortune is in our own hands,” she said, urging development of local resources instead of waiting for foreign investment.
—- Development in Maheshkhali, Yet Locals Left Deprived
Environmental activist M Alam said residents of Maheshkhali have given up land for national development projects but have received little benefit in return. He also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the Matarbari Development Authority.
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Corruption Is the Biggest Obstacle
Red Crescent President Riaz Mohammad Shakil said corruption remains the biggest barrier to progress. “We talk a lot, but we vote for corrupt people. Corruption is the main obstacle to development,” he said.
—- Call for Planning Beyond Party Lines
Islami Andolon Cox’s Bazar President Muhaddis Amirul Islam Mir said everyone wants a beautiful Cox’s Bazar, but management has failed. “We must work beyond party lines,” he said.
—— Hospital Mismanagement and Black Money in Elections
Politician and cultural organiser Ashraful Huda Siddiqui Jamshed highlighted mismanagement in public hospitals, saying patients are often forced to lie on floors despite the possibility of improving facilities. He also questioned the role of black money in elections. “If it costs Tk 100 million to contest an election, how can someone remain honest after coming to power?” he asked.
—— Demand to Expand Land Port and Highway to Four Lanes
Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Sheikh Ashiquzzaman said Bangladeshi traders have around $9 million stuck in Myanmar banks. He demanded the immediate reopening of the Teknaf land port and upgrading the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway to four lanes. “Deaths happen on this road every day. This is a demand for our lives,” he said.
Mizanur Rahman Milky, Tourism Entrepreneur
“Young entrepreneurs have invested in St. Martin’s, but they are unable to recover their investments. Currently, 90 percent of land in St. Martin’s and most of the Kolatoli zone in Cox’s Bazar is owned by people from outside the region.
Therefore, the government should implement land management policies—there should be limits on how much land outsiders can buy, similar to what we see in hill areas. Otherwise, there will come a time when Cox’s Bazar will no longer belong to its own people.
Also, tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar will not buy Chinese goods; they will purchase products made by local people. It is essential to create such initiatives.”
Hedayet Aziz Mithu, Organizer, Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance (CCAD)
“Salt production is one of the main sources of income for the people of Cox’s Bazar. But who is managing this sector? Currently, the price of salt has dropped to half of the minimum production cost, and yet approvals are being given for imported salt.
What is BSCIC doing? The salt industry should be removed from BSCIC’s control. BSCIC is not patronizing this sector in any meaningful way. The current stock of salt is enough to last for the next two years.
If this situation continues, no one will go to the salt fields in the future. Who is stopping people from producing salt with such effort?”
Mohibbul Moqtadir Tanim, Chief Coordinator, Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance (CCAD)
“Although Cox’s Bazar plays a significant role in international geopolitics and the economy, local communities’ participation in development processes is far from satisfactory.
With this responsibility in mind, CCAD has been organizing continuous dialogues in Dhaka over the past two years, involving representatives from both the government and civil society. Ahead of the parliamentary elections, these inclusive dialogues were held to provide practical guidance to elected representatives.
He added that without coordinating development projects with environmental conservation, Cox’s Bazar will face serious risks in the future.”
Monowar Kamal Zisan, President, JCI Cox’s Bazar
“Large projects are underway in Cox’s Bazar. But the key question is—who are these developments for? The real issue is how much they ensure local people’s employment, quality of life, and safety.”
Panic has spread among residents of Whykong border areas in Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar after a landmine explosion along the Naf River left a young man with his leg blown off, amid allegations that Myanmar’s Arakan Army crossed into Bangladesh and planted mines inside Bangladeshi territory.
The explosion occurred on Monday in the Lambabil area of Whykong Union, Teknaf, near the embankment along the Naf River. The victim, Mohammad Hanif, 28, a resident of Lambabil, lost his leg in the blast.
He is now undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Local residents said the landmine had been planted by members of the Arakan Army after intense fighting with Rohingya armed groups on the Myanmar side of the border. According to them, heavy clashes broke out early Sunday at Totar Dwip in Myanmar, opposite Whykong, involving gunfire, explosions and drone attacks.
They said many members of Rohingya armed groups fled across the Naf River into Bangladesh to save their lives, and were chased by the Arakan Army. During the pursuit, Arakan Army fighters allegedly crossed the Naf River and advanced up to the embankment inside Bangladesh, planting a large number of landmines in the process.
Diladar Mia, who was with Hanif at the time of the blast, said that on Monday morning, believing the situation had calmed, Hanif, Diladar and Selim Sheikh of Unchiprang went towards the Naf River to check their boat and fishing nets.
Diladar said they crossed the embankment at Lambabil and walked about one kilometre towards the river through land that is used as shrimp enclosures during the monsoon. As they neared the river, a sudden explosion threw Hanif to the ground.
“We immediately became alert and later noticed that several more landmines had been planted around us,” he said. “Small landmines were buried just under the soil and covered with grass or debris.”
Despite being terrified, they managed to rescue Hanif and return safely, he said. “Now we are too afraid to go back to that area. Thousands of people living along the border depend on the Naf River for fishing and crab catching. We are all living in fear.”
Hanif’s brother, Anwar Hossain, alleged that Arakan Army members chased Rohingya armed group fighters up to the embankment on Monday and opened fire from there, during which a Bangladeshi child, Huzaifa Afnan, 9, was shot.
“They planted at least 300 landmines inside Bangladeshi land while leaving. One of those blew off my brother’s leg,” Anwar said.
The Totar Dwip area across the Whykong border is known as a stronghold of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), also known as Nabi Hossain’s group. Clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups have been ongoing there for several days. On Sunday, many fighters reportedly fled into Bangladesh under heavy Arakan Army attacks.
Border Guard Bangladesh detained 53 people for illegal entry following the clashes, BGB Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mahiuddin Ahmed said on Monday.
In the past, landmines were planted along the border by Myanmar’s junta forces, causing multiple Bangladeshi casualties. After seizing control of the entire 271-kilometre Bangladesh-Myanmar border following prolonged fighting with the junta in December 2024, the Arakan Army is also alleged to have continued the practice, including planting mines along the zero line.
However, locals say this is the first time landmines have been planted after crossing the Naf River, which separates the two countries, deep inside Bangladeshi territory.
Attempts to contact Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mahiuddin Ahmed for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer repeated phone calls or respond to text messages detailing the incident.
According to BGB data, at least 65 Bangladeshis have been injured by landmines since fighting broke out between Myanmar’s government troops and the Arakan Army early in 2024.
Two Rohingyas were killed by landmines in 2024, and five others were injured in 2023.
A Bangladeshi child who sustained a bullet injury amid heavy fighting across the Myanmar border is being transferred to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka for specialised care.
Chattogram Medical College Hospital Director Brigadier General Taslim Uddin said on Tuesday that surgeons were unable to extract the bullet after hours of complicated surgery, as it is lodged in a highly sensitive area of the brain. He said attempting to remove it could put the child’s life at serious risk, leading doctors to refer the patient to the Dhaka-based neuroscience hospital. “They can manage the case better,” he said.
The child was hit during cross-border clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups that began around 11:00pm on Saturday and continued until about 10:00am on Sunday in the Totar Dwip area on the Myanmar side, opposite Whykong union in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Continuous gunfire and explosions were reported during the fighting. At one point, a bullet fired from across the border struck the child. Huzaifa is a resident of the Teschi Bridge area of Whykong.
