Joint Forces Detain 1,000 Rohingya Near Camps

In a major security operation ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections, joint forces led by the military have detained approximately 1,000 Rohingya individuals living illegally outside designated camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The operation, which began in the early hours of Sunday, is ongoing.

According to officials involved in the operation, the initiative aims to ensure that the electoral process remains peaceful and uninterrupted. The joint forces conducted coordinated raids in Balukhali and surrounding areas of the Palongkhali Union, targeting Rohingya families who had settled outside camps without formal permission or notification to camp authorities.

“These individuals have been living outside the camps for an extended period without any administrative approval,” a spokesperson for the joint forces said. “Our primary objective is to maintain law and order and to prevent any potential disturbances during the national elections.”

The detainees, numbering around 1,000, were reportedly found residing in makeshift shelters and temporary settlements adjacent to official camp boundaries. Authorities emphasised that these measures are part of a broader, ongoing effort to regulate camp peripheries and prevent unauthorised habitation.

This operation follows a series of previous enforcement drives in the region. In Dohazari, Chattogram, particularly in the Burma Colony and neighbouring areas, joint forces conducted several raids earlier this year, detaining over 500 Rohingya individuals before returning them to the camps.

Officials note that these actions are strictly administrative and aimed at safeguarding the camps’ operational integrity while maintaining security in the run-up to the elections. The ongoing operation in Balukhali is expected to continue through the day, with authorities monitoring compliance and ensuring the safe relocation of all detainees.

Summary of Recent Rohingya Detentions by Joint Forces

Authorities have reiterated that these measures are part of a broader mandate to maintain security and order across Cox’s Bazar, especially in sensitive areas surrounding refugee camps. The joint forces remain on high alert as the nation approaches the parliamentary elections, ensuring that camp residents and neighbouring communities are protected from potential unrest.