Ukhiya, Bangladesh: A 45-year old refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp was abducted by local youths yesterday at about 4 pm, said a refugee leader from the camp.
“The local youths frequently enter the camp and disturb the female refugees and harass people. Abul Kalam, the abducted refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp, attempted to prohibit the youths from entering the camp, said a relative.
“Kalam was kept in an area and severely beat up by the local youths. They forcefully took a statement from him that included giving them 5000 Taka within two days.”
If Kalam fails to give 5000 Taka to his abductors, he will be abducted again, according to sources.
A refugee committee member told the Kaladan Press, “We fled from Burma to Bangladesh because of persecution, extortion, taxes, and forced labor by Burmese authorities. We are facing the same problems in Bangladesh.”
“We live in small huts in miserable conditions and work hard for our survival. We don’t disturb the local people. We don’t know why local youths harass us inside the camp, which should be a safe place for us.”
Similarly, Salim, a daily laborer working in the Kutupalong local market, was beaten by local youths today with the allegation that he had beaten a local person in the forest last year and demanded money for compensation. Nobody, including authorities or local elders, are interested in investigating the event.
