Police arrest 24 boat-people while going to Malaysia

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh police arrested 24 boat-people including three traffickers (Dalal) on December 10, while going to Malaysia with a shaky engine boat from Bay of Bengal near Shamlapur of Teknaf union, according to police official of Teknaf police station.

“On information, at about 3:30 am, a group of police led by Sup-Inspector (SI) Mashrul from Bahar Sara Shamlapur police station went to the north Shil Khali village under Teknaf upazila and arrested the 19-boat people including three agents.”

“The arrested are identified as Jakir Ahmed (55), Imam Hussain (22), Mofiz Alam (45), Mohamed Yasin (35), Shoffi Alam (20), Hussain Ahmed (44), Feroz Ahmed (19), Forid Alam (35), Abdullah (20), Mohamed Hussain (22), Habi Bullah (25), Abdu Malek (40), Shamshuddin (40), Osiur Rahaman (34), Jahed Hussain (20) and Sayedullah (45).”

In similar way, on that day, at about 4:00 am, another group of police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Habib of Ukhiya police station arrested five Rohingyas from Siyankhali village while going to Malaysia with risky boat. They are identified as Zahed Hussain (20), Korim Ullah (21), Anam Ullah (19), Mohamed Esuf (24), and Lalu (20). They all belong to Maungdaw South, said a police aide from Ukhiya police station. 

The police of Shamlapur also arrested three agents--- Boshir Ahmed (42), son of Shunali, Dulu Hussain (55), son of Sultan Ahmed, hailed from Bazar Para of Shapuri Dip and Ershdur Rahman (33), source said from police station.

Boat-people from Arakan State came to Bangladesh from various points of Burma- Bangladesh border, mainly from Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung townships and Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State, though there were many people died recently after sinking boat in the sea  while going to Malaysia. Besides, the concerned authorities of Bangladesh also arrested many boat-people, agents and seized engine boats. But, Rohingya people are eager to go to Malaysia taking with perilous voyage through Bangladesh, said an elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.  

“What are the reasons, the Rohing people want to go to Malaysia leaving their motherland with risky journey,” asked a trader from Maungdaw Town.  

Among the boat-people, most of them are Rohingya community and some are Bangladeshis. Most of the boat-people are under the age of 20 to 25. The names of the boat-people have been cut off from their family lists after fleeing their homes. As a result, they are not allowed to enter again their native place. So, they become stateless people whether they are able to go to Malaysia or not, said a parent of one of the boat-people preferring not to be named.