Thousands of Rohingya are waiting to cross the Myanmar border into Bangladesh

As the Arakan Army, a Myanmar armed group, seized control of Maungdaw township in Rakhine state, thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children in five nearby villages fear being evicted. The armed group has taken over their homes and gathered the villagers in one location. Once the opportunity arises, many of these Rohingya may attempt to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh, though Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard have intensified patrols along the border.

Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh reported that over 37,000 Rohingyas have been displaced from their homes in the villages of Sudhapara, Ukilpara, Sikderpara, Fayezipara, and Nurullahpara near Maungdaw, with their homes also occupied. On Friday afternoon, limited movement of vessels resumed on the Naf River after a period of closure. Tourists are avoiding Tenaf and using the BIWTA jetty in Nuniachhara, Cox’s Bazar, to travel to Saint Martin’s Island. Trade through Teknaf land port has also been halted. Sources from the border region stated that the Arakan Army took control of a 270-kilometer area, including Maungdaw township, after overpowering the Border Guard Police’s 5th frontier battalion on December 8.

Mohammad Jubayer, president of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), told Prothom Alo that the Arakan Army expelled about 37,000 Rohingya from their homes and gathered them in the Perangpru area. These Rohingya are being offered passage to Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia in exchange for money, but many cannot afford to pay and are unable to cross into Bangladesh.

"There has been long-standing conflict between the Rohingya and the Arakan Army. When we were in Rakhine, the Arakan Army and the junta forces tortured the Rohingya people together," he added. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and additional secretary, stated that they are closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar. Security around the Naf River has been heightened to prevent illegal crossings, and no intrusions had occurred by Saturday afternoon. Limited vessel movement resumed on Friday after the ban was lifted. Rashid Ahmed, president of the Teknaf-Saint Martin Service Trawler Owners' Association, reported that many operators are too fearful to run water vehicles in the Naf River due to threats of kidnapping and gunfire. While 74 trawlers and speedboats once operated on the route, only a few are in operation now.

Due to the situation, trade through Teknaf land port has been halted since December 7, causing difficulties for 45 Bangladeshi traders who had goods such as frozen fish, onions, garlic, turmeric, and logs stored in Sittwe, formerly Akyab, to be shipped to Bangladesh. They are unable to bring their goods to Teknaf port amid the unrest in Rakhine state.

Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, general secretary of the Teknaf Land Port C&F Agent Association, said traders in Teknaf have been facing significant problems due to the eight-day halt in trade. He also noted that, with the armed group now controlling Rakhine state, there is no opportunity for negotiations. Teknaf land port customs officer BM Abdulah Al Masum mentioned that the government has lost Tk 30 million in daily revenue due to the trade suspension.