Local gangsters have been collecting tolls from unregistered Rohingyas that collect firewood near the unofficial Kutupalong refugee camp, said Kala Meah, a camp resident.
The Bangladesh government has been cracking down on illegal immigrants making it more difficult for them to earn money as day labourers. Unregistered refugees are not recognized by Bangladesh government. They also don’t get support from the UNHCR. They must gather firewood to sell in a nearby market to survive, Meah said.
Criminals living near the camp are taking advantage of their vulnerable positions, explained Abul Hussein, a camp elder. At first the gangsters collected between 10-50 taka. This price was dependent on how much firewood each refugee collected. Now the prices have gone up to as high as 1000-5000 taka.
After residents complained to the camp officer, the extortions stopped for a while. But the gangsters have returned, Abul Hussein said. Now they are reportedly backed by a local political leader.
Several days ago 30 residents were forced to pay between 1500 to 3000 taka each.
In Bangladesh the political situation is very unstable. This had a ripple effect, creating more strife for the more vulnerable segments of the population like the stateless Rohingyas. Now many camp residents are suffering from food shortages, said one camp school teacher who didn’t want their name used.
