Teknaf, Bangladesh: Arakanese Rohingyas are living in an atmosphere of insecurity in the border town of Teknaf, Bangladesh after they were ordered to move from the area within a week by the Rohingya Resistance Committees (RRC), according to sources from Teknaf.

Yesterday, the Rohingya Resistance Committees (RRC) along with local people held meeting in Teknaf town to drive out Arakanese Rohingya. They declared over microphones their demand and declaration.

The group told the owners of houses, not to give shelter, rent or protection to the Arakanese Rohingyas. “If anybody provides shelter, rent or protection to the Arakanese Rohingya, he will be punished by the Rohingya Resistance Committees (RRC).”

An Arakanese Rohingya from the border area told Kaladan Press, “We came to Bangladesh as it is a Muslim country from Burma leaving our home and property because of persecution by the military junta in Arakan State against the Rohingya. If Bangladesh drives us away, where will we go.”

“We don’t want to stay here, if we get all rights like other ethnic groups, in our homeland. So, we request the Bangladesh government and people, to solve our problem with the junta and give us our rights,” he added.

“In Teknaf, we don’t harm the local people, so why do they go against us. It was not like this before,” an Arakanese Rohingya widow, who begs in Teknaf area, asked. “Everybody is not against us, but some,” she added.

Arakanese Rohingyas are caught between a crocodile (Burma) and a snake (Bangladesh). They do not have an alternative place to go to. The junta oppresses the Rohingya people and extorts money from them in Arakan and Bangladesh drives away Arakanese Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, a refugee from Kutupalong unregistered camp said.