Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh: Three refugees registered with the UNHCR were arrested from Link-Road junction, while returning to their camp on May 24, 2010, said a relative of the victims.

On May 24, at about 3 pm, two refugees from Nayapara camp - Aklas Meah (30), son of Osman Ghani, MRC # 2812, Block # E and Noor Boshor ( 35), MRC # 2925, shed # 83 and Block # E were arrested  by police from the Link-Road junction in Cox’s Bazaar, the relative said.

They had gone to Cox’s Bazaar to work in fishing boats as the support from the UNHCR is inadequate for their families, but they returned to the camp as the weather deteriorated, the relative added.

Hearing of it, Osman Ghani, father of Akalas Meah went to Cox’s Bazaar police station with his son’s refugee identity card for his release. But, the father was also arrested and kept in police custody, said an aide of the police.

The police told the relatives of the three arrested to bring Taka 5,000 for their release. But, the relatives could manage Taka 3,000 and went to the Cox’s Bazaar police station, said a family member of the arrested. The police refused to release them.

There are many refugees in Cox’s Bazaar jail and Bandarban jail, who were arrested by police outside the camp.