BGB arrests 16 boat- people, 33 pushed back to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 16 boat-people while going to Malaysia with rickety engine boat from Shapuri Dip and another 33 Rohingyas - arrested from Whaikong BGB check-post - were pushed back to Burma on November 19, according to BGB official statement.

“Among the arrested 16 boat-people are seven Rohingya and nine Bangladeshi. BGB of Shapuri Dip, outpost camp seized a boat with suspected from the Shapuri Dip jetty which was boarding some people who were coming from Burma and waiting some people who will come from Cox’s Bazar and local Shapuri Dip  to join the trip at noon.”

The owner of the boat is Ismail, son of Haji Salay, hailed from Barmaya Para of Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman from shapuri Dip. 

Most of the engine-boats were going to Malaysia after getting understanding among Dalals (agents), local BGB members and Coast Guards, otherwise, the boat-people will be arrested, said a local elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.

“The well-known agents from Shapuri Dip are:- Dolu Hussain, Mozi Bullah, Monna, Shaker, Amin, Shobbir, Kana Jaffar, Kobira, Jaffar, Rejaul Karim, Nurul Alam, Rahim Ullah  Younous, Nazir Ahmed Bulu, Amin.”

Besides, on November 18, at night, three agents were arrested including Nurul Islam and Belal  by police from Nonna Sara of Cox’s Bazar while preparing to board on some boat- people into an engine trawler. But, nearly 40 persons were fled after sensing the presence of police and coast-guard. It is learnt that it will go to Shapuri Dip for boarding boat-people after boarding people from Cox’s Bazar. Most of the people are Rohingya refugees, said SI of Cox’s Bazar police station.  

Abdullah (36) – a refugee - son of Abdul Amin from D-2 Block of Kutupalong camp was arrested with suspicion   and  released after interrogation for not involving in the human trafficking, said Zahirul Islam, an officer of Coast Guard.

Police super (Model cycle) of Cox’s Bazar Sayed Tofayel Ahmed confirmed the incident. 

It is a suitable time for the boat-people as the sea is calm in winter, so that boat-people can go easily to Malaysia by sea route, said a trader from Shapuri Dip.