Refugee abducted from unregistered camp

Ukhiya, Bangladesh: A refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp was abducted by local youths yesterday at about 4:00 pm, said a refugee leader from the makeshift camp.

“The refugee prohibited the local youths who frequently enter the camp and disturb the refugees’ females and harassing refugees.”

Abul Kalam (45), the abducted refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp, said a relative.

“Kalam was kept in a local area where severally beat up by the local youths and forcefully took a statement that included giving 5000 taka within two days.”   

If he fails to give 5000 taka, he will be abducted again, according to sources.

A refugee committee member told the Kaladapress, “We fled from Burma to Bangladesh for persecution, extortion, taxes, forced labor and etc. by Burmese authority. We are facing same problem in Bangladesh.”

“We live in small huts and miserable condition and working hard for our survival; we don’t disturb the local people. But, we don’t know why local youths harass us inside the camp and where is safe place for us.”

Similarly, Salim, a daily labor working in the Kutupalong local market, was beaten by local youths today with an allegation which said that he had beaten a local people in the forest last year and demanding money for compensation. Nobody – authorities and local elders – were interesting to involve in the event.