A refugee community leader at Nayapara Camp was humiliated by the camp’s security police on March 10 when he was sent to a police station in the refugee camp for questioning the police about the arrest of a refugee, said a refugee leader ...
Teknaf, Bangladesh: A refugee community leader at Nayapara Camp was humiliated by the camp’s security police on March 10 when he was sent to a police station in the refugee camp for questioning the police about the arrest of a refugee, said a refugee leader from the camp who asked not to be named.
On that day, at about 8:30 am, a refugee security police officer named Mamun Ustat, along with two others, entered the Nayapara Camp and arrested a refugee over allegations that he was involved in anti-social activity. The refugee was brought to the police camp.
A relative of the victim said, “The victim is not involved in any anti-social activity. These are false and fabricated allegations to extort money.”
The arrestee is identified as Md. Haroon, age 28, MRC #8868, Block #C, Shed #855, Room #1 of Nayapara Refugee Camp.
Following the arrest, Shamshu Alam, a community leader in the camp, and some other refugees went to the police camp to investigate the reason for the said refugee’s arrest by the police. Shamshu Alam is an elected refugee leader in the camp and has the responsibility to know the details whenever a refugee meets with trouble.
When the community leader arrived at the police camp, the police officer Mamun Ustat was angry with him. After reaching the camp, Shamshul Alam asked the police about the allegations against the arrestee Md. Haroon. Suddenly, Mamun Ustat grabbed the collar of Shamshu Alam and pushed him in front of the other refugees with anger, said one of the refugees who went to the police camp.
Shamshul Alam is a respected and recognized leader at the camp and has the right to know the reasons for the arrest of any refugee by police or other authorities.
“If this kind of arbitrary arrest, and emotional and physical harassment, continues against us, how can we survive in the camp?” asked a refugee leader from the camp without saying his name.
Regarding the humiliation by the police, Shamshu Alam filed a written complaint to the Community Service Officer of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said a neighbor of Shamshu.
“Besides, we appeal to the international community to protect us from police harassment. We refugees especially appeal through the media for an end to police harassment against our elected community leaders by Officer Mamun Ustat,” the neighbor added.
The arrestee Md. Haroon was released at night after taking 2,000 Taka.
