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Aid Cuts Leave Thousands Exposed to Landslides in Rohingya Camps

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By Staff Correspondent | Cox’s Bazar

When the rain starts falling over the hills of Camp 20 in Ukhiya, Senoara Begum no longer sleeps.

Her shelter — a fragile structure of bamboo poles and tarpaulin clinging to a steep hillside — sits beneath slopes that have claimed dozens of lives in the Rohingya refugee camps over the past five years.

“There is nowhere safe nearby to move,” she says quietly. “When aid agencies ask us to relocate, the places they offer are far from our neighbours and the community we’ve built. We don’t want to leave. But if the hillsides were properly maintained, the danger would be much less.”

For Senoara, the arrival of the monsoon is no longer simply a change in season. It is the return of uncertainty.

Across the vast refugee settlements of Ukhiya and Teknaf, thousands of Rohingya families live on, or directly beneath, steep hillsides stripped of their natural vegetation to make room for one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. Every spell of heavy rain weakens the soil. Every monsoon brings the fear that another hillside could collapse.

That fear is grounded in experience.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), landslides between 2021 and 2026 have killed 28 people and injured at least 80 across the camps. Twelve people died in 2024 alone, making it the deadliest year in the period. This year, although the rainy season has only just begun, two more people have already been killed and ten others injured.

“Landslides have claimed 28 lives and injured 80 people across the camps between 2021 and 2026,” says Shari Nijman, Communications Officer for UNHCR Bangladesh.

“Many vulnerable slopes remain without adequate stabilisation, increasing the exposure of refugee households and critical infrastructure to monsoon-related hazards.”

A Crisis Beyond the Rain

The danger is not caused by rainfall alone.

Humanitarian agencies say a deepening global funding crisis has forced them to scale back some of the very measures designed to prevent disasters.

Projects such as slope stabilisation, bamboo terracing, drainage maintenance and shelter reinforcement have been reduced as aid organisations prioritise life-saving food assistance and protection services amid shrinking donor support.

“The reduction in funding has significantly affected preventive engineering work,” humanitarian officials say, warning that vulnerable slopes are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain as resources diminish.

Relocation, often presented as the safest option, has proved equally challenging.

“Relocating families from the most dangerous hillside plots has long been one of the central challenges in camp management,” Nijman explains.

“These settlements are among the most densely populated places on earth. Vacant land is virtually non-existent. Many families are also reluctant to move because relocation often means losing access to livelihoods, markets and the social networks they have rebuilt since fleeing Myanmar in 2017.”

Living With Fear

In Camp 4, Salim Ullah says fear has become part of his family’s nightly routine whenever heavy rain begins.

“When it rains, I stay awake wondering when the hill will come down,” he says.

“I live on the slope with my children. We are always frightened.”

Across the camps, signs of self-protection are visible almost everywhere.

Families cover drainage channels with sheets of plastic to slow erosion. Sandbags are stacked against fragile shelters. Bamboo poles are driven into unstable embankments in makeshift attempts to hold the soil together.

But many acknowledge these are temporary solutions against a much larger threat.

Authorities on Alert

Bangladesh authorities say preparations are underway.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md Mizanur Rahman says disaster management committees in every camp have been activated ahead of the monsoon. Awareness campaigns are continuing, while high-risk areas are being closely monitored.

“If conditions deteriorate, residents living in the most vulnerable locations will be evacuated,” he says.

Meanwhile, the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office reports that around 237 millimetres of rainfall has fallen over the past three weeks.

Assistant Meteorologist A.B. Hannan warns that rainfall is expected to intensify in the coming days, increasing the likelihood of further landslides.

Race Against Time

UNHCR says it continues to implement engineering and nature-based solutions wherever funding permits.

These include retaining walls, improved drainage systems, geotextile reinforcement and the planting of Vetiver grass, whose deep roots help bind loose soil together.

But the agency warns that without sustained international funding, such interventions cannot keep pace with growing risks.

As another monsoon settles over the camps, the question is no longer whether the hills will be tested — but whether enough has been done to prevent them from collapsing.

For Senoara Begum, the answer feels painfully uncertain.

Another rainy season has arrived.

And once again, she waits through the night, listening for the sound that every family living beneath the hills fears most.

Border Deaths, No Justice: Bangladesh Pays for Myanmar’s War

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Insight Report

There is no war on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. But people are dying. Someone cooking in their own kitchen. Someone playing in their courtyard. Someone working in a banana grove. Someone who went into the hills and never came back.

Every time, the same scene.
Gunfire on the other side. Mortar shells fall. Armed groups clash. Sometimes a landmine explodes.

Then a family in some border village of Bangladesh is changed forever. News gets reported. Officials visit the scene. In some cases, a small amount of financial assistance arrives.

Then everything stops. Investigations stop. Justice stops. The visible presence of the state stops. But the grief of the border people does not.

Death Certificate Says ‘Natural Disaster’ After Mortar Shell Kills Woman in Her Kitchen
5 February 2024. In a home on the border edge of Ghumdhum Union in Naikhongchhari, Hosne Ara Begum was cooking.

At the time, fierce fighting was raging inside Myanmar. Suddenly, a mortar shell came flying from across the border.

Hosne Ara was killed on the spot. A Rohingya labourer died in the same incident.
The autopsy report and hospital documents clearly stated that she died from blast injuries.
But the family alleges that the death certificate later issued by the Union Parishad listed the cause of death as “natural disaster.”

Her son, Md. Ibrahim, says: “The MSF hospital papers clearly say death by bomb blast. But the Union Parishad death certificate says natural disaster. My question is — if a bomb comes from Myanmar and kills someone, how is that a natural disaster?”

In his words, that single phrase captures the entire political and administrative reality.

“Even a small child wants justice for their mother’s murder. Losing a mother means an entire family is destroyed. But we have come to understand — in this country, if you are killed at the border, there are very few places to seek justice.”

Hosne Ara’s husband, Badsha Mia, filed a case. But more than two years have passed with no visible progress.

“Police were saying they couldn’t catch the accused. If you want to keep the case going, go ahead — if not, leave it. After that, nothing happened.”

After 27 Days of Fighting, Hujaifa Loses the Battle

Hujaifa was just 12 years old. She was playing in the courtyard with friends. A bullet came flying from the direction of the border. She was critically wounded and taken first to Chittagong, then to Dhaka.

After fighting for his life in the ICU for 27 days, the child died.

Her father, Jasim Uddin, still carefully keeps his daughter’s toys, socks, and the half-eaten packet of dal-bhaja from the day it happened. He kept stopping mid-sentence as he spoke.
“She wasn’t fighting a war. She was sitting at a shop eating snacks, playing with toys. A bullet hit a child’s body. Then she fought death for 27 days.”


He says that at the time, the Arakan Army and the Rohingya armed group RSO were exchanging fire. At one point, armed members crossed into Bangladeshi territory and continued shooting. One of those bullets struck Hujaifa as she played in the courtyard.
The family has filed no case. Because they do not know against whom to file one.
“The bullet came from across the border. But whose door do I knock on for justice?”

Father Killed in Mine Blast Two Weeks Before His Child Was Born

24 May. In a hilly banana grove between border pillars 41 and 42 in the Tumru border area, a group of labourers had gone to work.

Suddenly, an explosion. Shaifuching Tanchangya, Akyamong Tanchangya, and Chikyang Tanchangya were killed on the spot.

All three were from Fatrajhiri area of Valukyapara in Ghumdhum Union, and all were the primary breadwinners of their families.

Shaifuching’s wife, Makingching, gave birth just seven days after the incident — she had lost her husband nearly two weeks before she would hold her child.

“He was supposed to come back with money from selling bananas. He never came back.”
As government assistance, she received only a few thousand taka.

Nothing after that. No case. No news of any investigation. No compensation.
Local Union Parishad member Angsai Marma says: “It was a devastating incident. While trying to save one person, two more died. Three families were destroyed overnight.”

‘What Is the Point of Talking?’

Dukmala Tanchangya lost her husband Akyamong Tanchangya in the same blast. But she does not want to speak to journalists.

Neighbours say her resentment toward the state runs so deep that she believes talking serves no purpose.

From a distance, Dukmala shouts: “We didn’t get justice. Instead, now they’re blaming us.”
This silence reflects the long experience of the border people.

They have seen people die, get injured, and go missing — but not a single incident has ever reached a judicial conclusion.

The Missing Man — And No Search

Wamong Chakma has been missing for nearly four months. His wife, Usasing Chakma, says he went into the hilly border area to collect bamboo and never returned.

The family does not even know if he is alive. Most strikingly, they have not filed any case.
Because they believe it would yield nothing.

Usasing says: “We contacted the police and BGB, but they said they could not go into that area. There is no news of whether Wamong is even alive.”

Naikhongchhari Police Station OC Mozammel Haque says GD entries have been made for at least two missing person cases in the border area — including Sumon Tanchangya and Waimong Chakma.

“No trace has been found yet. The matters are under investigation,” he says.
He acknowledges, however, that police capacity for investigation in the remote border areas is limited.

“Legally, BGB has the primary responsibility in border areas. For any incident, we have to coordinate with them.”

Hanif Lost His Leg in His Own Country

Md. Hanif, a resident of Lambabil area in Whaikyang, Teknaf, lost a leg to a mine explosion while walking to his own fish enclosure.

The incident happened inside Bangladesh — he was walking along the Naf riverbank toward his enclosure.

Suddenly, an explosion. In an instant, one leg was severed from his body.
While hospitalised at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, he received 30,000 taka in assistance from the BGB.

Nothing came after. He now lives with his wife and child, dependent on his younger brother’s income.

Hanif says the explosion occurred roughly 20 feet inside the embankment, where enclosures are located before the Naf river. He believes mines may be scattered even further inland.
He is now unemployed, staying home. His household runs entirely on his younger brother’s earnings.

“Who do I file a case against? Even the police didn’t come.”

What Is Happening Inside the Border?

Locals allege that armed groups of various kinds operate across wide stretches of the border.

Some name Rohingya armed factions. Others mention the Arakan Army. Still others say ordinary people have no way of knowing who belongs to which side.

As a result, going to work in the hills, grazing livestock, or visiting plantations has become dangerous.

Ulasing Tanchangya, a resident of Fatrajhiri area in Valukyapara, Ghumdhum Union, says: “If we don’t go to the hills, we can’t eat. But now going means risking death.”

He explains that people in this area grow bananas, papayas, ginger, mangoes, jackfruit, and betel leaves on the hills to earn a living. Unable to access their land, they are now facing extreme financial hardship and food insecurity.

What Does the BGB Say?

34 BGB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel S.M. Khairul Alam says an investigation is underway into the source of the mines found near the border.

Preliminary assessment suggests that during clashes between Myanmar’s junta forces and the Arakan Army, some mines may have been planted or left behind in areas near the Bangladesh border.

“The matter is still under investigation. We don’t want to say anything definitively.”

He adds that BGB is conducting awareness campaigns in border areas — going house to house, warning residents not to touch any suspicious object and to immediately inform BGB.
He also notes that in many hilly border areas, the zero line is not clearly demarcated, so locals often cannot tell whether they are inside Bangladesh or have crossed to the other side.

Why This Cycle of Impunity?

South Asian geopolitics analyst Altaf Parvez believes the root cause is the lack of effective control over the border.

“There is a state of war at the border. There is the Arakan Army, there are Rohingya armed groups, there is the Myanmar military. But ordinary people are bearing the greatest cost.”
He argues that keeping the border safe is the state’s responsibility.

“But in reality, border people are living in a kind of uncertainty. Everyone knows what is happening, but there is very little social or political discussion about it.”

In his view, these people are effectively among Bangladesh’s most marginalised citizens.
“City people live safely. Border people have to live with the risk.”

He adds: “These people are not at the centre of any discussion. They are not part of power politics. So their deaths do not become electoral issues.”

What Should the State Do?

Former Myanmar consulate head and security analyst Major (Retd.) Mohammad Emdadul Islam says the current situation is extremely complex — because in most cases the accused is not a state, but non-state armed groups.

“Bangladesh cannot take direct judicial action against groups like the Arakan Army. But it is urgent to strengthen mine detection, mine clearance, and preventive security measures along the border.”

He believes Bangladesh should build stronger preventive measures at the border and increase diplomatic pressure on Myanmar.

Are Border People Second-Class Citizens?

Hosne Ara. Hujaifa. Shaifuching. Akyamong. Chikyang. Wamong. Hanif.
These are just a few names.

But within these names lies the long history of insecurity, fear, and impunity endured by the border people.

They did not fight. They are not members of any armed group.

They were simply at home, working their land, catching fish, raising their children.
But they are the ones paying the price of war.

Coxs Bazar District Bar Association President Abdul Mannan asked the question: if a Bangladeshi citizen is killed by a mortar shell, shot dead by a bullet, disabled by a mine explosion, or goes missing inside Bangladesh — who bears responsibility for that?

“And if responsibility is never determined, where will justice come from? In one word — the state itself must take responsibility for the safety of its citizens.”

People are dying at the border. But as they die, the possibility of justice seems to die with them — and that, perhaps, is the greatest tragedy in all these stories.

Abdul Mannan asked: “Are the people of the border second-class citizens?”

Who is planting landmines inside Bangladesh territory?

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Bay Insight । Cox’s Bazar

Mathingching Tanchangya gave birth to a baby girl last week. But nearly three weeks before the child saw the light of day, her father lost his life.

Mathing’s husband, Shaifuching Tanchangya (32), was killed in a landmine explosion on May 24 while working on jhum cultivation land near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Two others — Okyamong Tanchangya (40), and Chikyong Tanchangya (34) — were also killed in the same incident. All three had gone to tend a banana plantation on the hillside.

To visit the victims’ families, this correspondent traveled last Saturday to Fatrajhiri in Ghumdhum Union of Naikhongchhari Upazila in Bandarban. The remote settlement lacks even mobile phone network coverage. After venturing further into Balukhia Para, Mathing’s home was finally located.

She was found standing in front of a traditional hill hut built on bamboo stilts. Inside, her newborn daughter was asleep in a cradle. When asked about the incident, Mathing began speaking but soon broke down in tears.

“How will I survive with these three children now? What will I do?” she said while crying uncontrollably. She repeatedly questioned why her husband had to lose his life while working on his own jhum land inside Bangladesh.

Unable to continue speaking due to her grief, her neighbour Ulaching stepped in. He said the jhum fields are about a two-hour walk from their village, with the Myanmar border another hour away. Shaifuching and the other two victims had gone there to work on their banana plantation.

According to Ulaching, Shaifuching was critically injured in an initial explosion while working in the plantation. When the others rushed to rescue him, a second blast injured them as well. All three later died at the scene. Villagers recovered the bodies with extreme caution.

A short distance from Mathing’s house stands the home of Okyamong. His eyes wife, Dukh Mala, was busy with household work and declined to speak after learning a journalist had arrived. She said previous media reports had stated that her husband and the others were killed after entering Myanmar, a claim she disputes. She is deeply worried about how she will support her three children.

Ulaching said nearly 400 Tanchangya families in the area have jhum land in regions where landmine explosions have occurred. Since the incidents, fear has prevented many from returning to their fields.

“Almost everyone has loans from NGOs. I have to pay around Tk 6,500 in installments every month. But I am too afraid to go to my banana plantation. The bananas are ripening and rotting in the fields. Our livelihoods are being destroyed,” he said.

He questioned who was planting landmines inside Bangladesh?

Days after the deaths of Shaifuching, Okyamong and Chikyong, another explosion occurred on June 9 in a banana plantation near Rezu Amtoli, also in Ghumdhum Union. Abdul Khalek, a 30-year-old Rohingya labourer, was killed while working there.

Local residents said the explosions occurred well inside Bangladeshi territory, far from the border line, making it difficult to believe that the mines had been planted by the Arakan Army from across the border. Since December 2024, Arakan Army has established control along the other side of the whole 271 kilometres Bangladesh border.

Several residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed they had seen the presence of an armed Rohingya group in the area. They alleged that the group does not want locals entering the area and may have planted the mines for that reason. Residents also claimed that people encountered in the area are sometimes chased away.

If they can catch us, they will kill us in that area, they said.

According to local accounts, two hill residents of the same community disappeared in separate incidents last September and October while tending cattle in the area. They were Waimong Tanchangya of Balukhia Para and Suman Tanchangya of neighboring Rezu Gorjonbunia area.

The wife of Waimong, 55-year-old Usaching, was encountered while transporting jackfruit collected from the hills for sale. She said her husband disappeared seven to eight months ago while grazing cattle and never returned. Villagers later found signs suggesting he had been dragged away. Suman also remains missing since then, locals said.

Former Ghumdhum Union Parishad member Babul Kanti Chakma said Waimong disappeared during the third week of September last year, while Suman went missing on October 8. Fear has gripped local residents for the past seven to eight months, discouraging many from visiting their jhum fields.

He confirmed that the families filed general diaries with Naikhongchhari Police Station regarding the disappearances.

Mozammel Haque, Investigation Officer at Naikhongchhari Police Station, said both disappearance cases remain under investigation. The deep jungle terrain has slowed progress, he added.

He said police recovered the bodies after being informed of the landmine blast that killed the three men and completed the necessary legal procedures. He added that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been conducting public awareness campaigns in the area and that police have requested BGB to carry out mine swiping operations using modern equipment.

Regarding the recent landmine explosions inside Bangladesh, Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, commanding officer of BGB Battalion 34, said preliminary assessments suggest that during clashes and pursuits between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army, members of both sides occasionally crossed into Bangladeshi territory and may have
planted or left behind mines.

However, he emphasized that this is not a final conclusion and that investigations are ongoing.

He said BGB has already been distributing leaflets and conducting awareness campaigns door-to-door, urging residents to immediately report any suspicious objects or activities.

Explaining the border terrain, Lt Col Khairul said the zero line is often difficult to identify in hilly areas where jhum cultivation takes place. He noted that one recent explosion occurred about 20 yards inside Myanmar territory.

“In the hills, it is often difficult to determine whether someone is standing in Bangladesh or Myanmar,” he said, adding that residents are being advised to avoid areas close to the zero line to prevent confusion and danger.

According to BGB, local authorities and border residents, at least 10 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in landmine and unexploded ordnance blasts along the Naikhongchhari border between late 2024 and June this year.

The victims include Bangladeshi farmers, hill workers, Rohingya refugees, woodcutters and even BGB personnel. While deaths from mine explosions previously occurred across the border, recent incidents inside Bangladeshi territory have heightened fear among border communities.

7 Bangladeshi Fishermen Detained by Arakan Army in Teknaf

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Bay Insight Report

Seven Bangladeshi fishermen, along with two engine-powered fishing boats, were detained by Myanmar’s armed group, the Arakan Army, while fishing in the Bay of Bengal and the Naf River estuary off Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.

The incident occurred around 9:00 am on Monday in waters adjacent to Shah Porir Dwip. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S.M. Anik Chowdhury confirmed the incident at around 5:00 pm.

He said the administration learned of the matter through the Coast Guard and has contacted the families of the detained fishermen. Initial information confirmed that seven fishermen had been taken away.

“The fishermen mistakenly entered Myanmar waters and were detained. The BGB, Coast Guard and local administration are working in coordination to bring them back to Bangladesh as quickly as possible,” he said.

Abdul Mannan, a member of Ward No. 7 of Shah Porir Dwip Union, said the fishermen were detained near Myanmar’s Naikhyongdia area, at the estuary of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal, about six kilometres southeast of the border area under the jurisdiction of the Shah Porir Dwip BOP of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-2.

Local fishermen said the group had gone fishing from the South-East Para ghat of Shah Porir Dwip using two engine-powered fishing boats. While returning after fishing, they unintentionally crossed into Myanmar waters, where members of the Arakan Army detained them.

The detained fishermen were identified as Faisal, 26, Jalil, 16, Azam, 12, Helal, 11, Lalya, 19, Syed Alam, 21, and another Faisal, 22. All are residents of Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf.

The two fishing boats belong to Md Razzak, 40, of Konapara in Shah Porir Dwip, according to local sources.

Local residents alleged that Bangladeshi fishermen fishing in the border areas of the Naf River and in the Bay of Bengal frequently face harassment and detention by various armed groups. They urged the authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of the detained fishermen.

Robbery and gang rape in Cox’s Bazar: Womanand her daughter among victims

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Cox’s Bazar । Bay Insight

A horrifying incident of armed robbery followed by gang rape has taken place in the newly formed Matamuhuri Upazila, where a mother and her teenage daughter were sexually assaulted after criminals looted gold ornaments and cash from their home.
Police have confirmed that both victims are currently receiving treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

The incident occurred around 2:30am on Tuesday (June 9) in the Dolnighona area of Sikdarpara, under East Borobheola Union of the upazila.

Police have so far arrested six individuals in connection with the case.
The arrestees are: Rezaul Karim (36), Tofazzal Hossain alias Babu (23) and his brother Kefayat Hossain alias Puittya (27), Mohammad Tanzid (24) — all from the Dolunighona area of Matamuhuri Upazila — Mehedi Hasan (24) from the Kaddachara area of Saharbil Union, and Mohammad Tareq (26) from the Koralkhali area.

Quoting members of the victims’ family, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Chakaria Circle) Abhijit Das said that a gang of eight to 10 armed criminals cut through the window grille of the house and forced their way inside. They looted cash, gold jewellery and other valuables before gang-raping the expatriate worker’s wife, aged 40, and her daughter, aged 15, and then fleeing the scene. A five-year-old child of the woman was also present in the house during the attack.
The husband of the woman lives in Chattogram for business purposes.

The critically injured mother and daughter were first taken to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex. As their condition deteriorated, they were transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced medical care.

After inspecting the scene, the ASP confirmed that an organised local criminal network was responsible for the attack. Family sources claim the same group had targeted this family on multiple previous occasions.

One of those involved in the attack had been arrested by police just days earlier carrying weapons and was already a defendant in robbery and arms cases. That individual, identified as Jisan, had been released from jail only five days before the attack. Several members of the gang are described by police as hardened repeat offenders.

Following the incident, local residents and law enforcement jointly cordoned off the entire area. The six arrests were made during an operation conducted from dawn through the morning on Tuesday.

The uncle of the teenage victim told journalists that his sister and his tenth-grade niece had been subjected to brutal assault by the local criminal gang. The niece’s condition remains critical — doctors are keeping her under intensive care due to severe blood loss.

He further said that this criminal group had attacked their family two to three times previously, and that several members — including Jisan and his brother — are among the most dangerous and notorious offenders in the area.

Contacted, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital’s Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Dr. Subaktabin Sohel said the mother and daughter were admitted to One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) of the hospital.

After completing necessary diagnosis and treatment, they were discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. The physical condition of the girl was stable, he said.

Controversy over construction of concrete and steel housing in Rohingya camps

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Bay insight | Cox’s Bazar

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.

Cries Across Teknaf: “Where is My Son?”

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Abdur Rahman, Teknaf | Cox’s Bazar

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.

No structured mental health services for Cox’s Bazar locals; over 250,000 Rohingya received support in eight years

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Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

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.

Teknaf Land Port Reopens After Nearly a Year, Concerns Persist Over Security and Trade Conditions

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Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

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.

Rakib’s presence found in location data in Khorshed murder case, investigation takes new turn

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Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

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.