Bangladesh
Rohingya Camps | Illegal Trade Officials to use weapons to stop illegal arms, drug trade at Rohingya camps: Abdul Momen
Dhaka, October 23: Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Momen has warned that weapons will be used at various Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar to stop drug and arms trade. The minister was responding to reporters' questions about the ongoing terrorist activities in the Rohingya camp after a health discussion organized by the National Heart Foundation and the Jalalabad Association in Sylhet on Friday (October 22) at noon.
Seven people were shot dead and hacked to death in a madrassa at Mainarghona Rohingya Camp No. 18 in Palangkhali Union of Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar on Friday morning. Several others were admitted to the hospital adjacent to the camp with injuries.
Replying to a question in this regard, the Foreign Minister said, "A meeting was held on Thursday (October 21) under the chairmanship of the Home Minister to improve the law and order situation in the Rohingya camps. We held a big meeting yesterday to improve law and order in and outside the Rohingya camps. Then (today's) accident. It is a matter of concern."
Muhibullah, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, was shot dead on the night of September 29 in the D-8 block of Kutupalong-1 (East) Lambasia Camp.
Asked whether there was any domestic or foreign conspiracy behind Muhibullah's assassination and today's incident, the foreign minister said, "Different people are saying that there is a drug trade ... and some have given information, some weapons and guns have been found. We discussed this yesterday (Thursday). My suggestion is to shoot if necessary to stop these drugs and illegal weapons trade completely."
Dr. Momen added, "A lot of people (in Myanmar) don’t want to go back. It hurts their interests. They may be causing these incidents. I don't know, I need to know."
The northern part of the country was hit by flash floods as all the gates of the Ghazaldoba section of the Teesta Barrage were recently opened by India. Replying to a question on the release of Teesta water to Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Momen said, "Today (Friday) our Home Secretary will hold talks with the Indian High Commission. There are multiple issues with that. I don't know if India informed us about water before. However, there will be talks on more than one issue. Political and governmental relations between our two countries are very strong. But there is a lot of trouble because of different groups or individuals. We will discuss this with India."
Earlier on Friday morning, the Foreign Minister arrived at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport from Dhaka by air. The Minister exchanged greetings with Planning Minister MA Mannan and Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmed at the airport. Later, the three ministers along with local Awami League leaders took part in a photo session at the VIP lounge of the airport. Earlier, the minister attended a meeting at the National Heart Foundation on the shelf of Sylhet city at around 10:00 am.
