Ukhiya, Nov 11 (V7N) — Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-15) detained 18 Rohingyas, including 12 men and 6 women, during a special operation in the Balukhali Mora Gachtola area of Ukhiya’s Palongkhali Union for living illegally outside designated refugee camps.

According to RAB sources, the operation was conducted late Sunday night by a team from RAB-15’s CPC-2 Whykong Camp based on confidential intelligence. During the raid, five Rohingya families who had been living in rented houses outside the camp were apprehended.

RAB officials said the detainees had been residing outside the camp for an extended period and were reportedly involved in various criminal activities, including robbery, drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. The law enforcement agency noted that some Rohingyas have increasingly been collaborating with local criminal networks, posing a growing threat to public safety and law and order in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Kamrul Hasan, Commander of RAB-15, said, “Rohingyas living illegally outside the camps are getting involved with different criminal groups, which is putting the region’s law and order at risk. RAB maintains a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.”

He added that regular operations will continue to prevent illegal Rohingya settlements outside the camps and that legal action will be taken against landlords who rent out houses to Rohingyas unlawfully.

The 18 detainees are being handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Local residents have welcomed RAB’s drive, saying it will help reduce crime and restore a sense of security in the area. RAB-15 reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and order, pledging to continue similar operations regularly to curb illegal activities in Cox’s Bazar.

END/SIC/SMA/