Kutupalong, Bangladesh: The concerned authorities of an official refugee camp (under UNHCR), refused to solve problems between registered refugees and unregistered refugees, said a refugee committee member.

Last evening, Yousef with 15 other registered refugees beat up Hamid from the unregistered refugee camp of Block B 1, with an iron rod. Hamid was seriously injured and the unregistered refugee committee members went to complain about the matter to the officer in-charge of the registered camp. However, they were unable to find him in the camp and then the committee members went to Camp Security Officer Sub Inspector (SI) Monir, who refused to file the case, the committee members said.

Given his serious condition, the refugees tried to get medical treatment for the injured man, from the clinic of the registered camp, which is operated under UNHCR. But, Hamid was denied treatment there too since he was not a registered refugee, said Abu, another Local authorities deny rights of unregistered refugees
unregistered refugee, had gone with Hamid to complain to the concerned local authorities.

Later, the refugees admitted Hamid to the MSF clinic near the camp, where he was admitted as an indoor patient, Abu added.

“I know the UNHCR works for refugees, although why in Bangladesh it follows the divide and role policy among refugees of Kutupalong area is unknown. It is their duty to save a life and the reasons for the UNHCR clinic’s refusal to admit the patient are still uncertain,” said Kalam from camp.

It has been learnt that Hamid had taken Taka 40 from Yousef last week, but had paid back only Taka 25 yesterday and requested for some more time to pay the rest. But, Yousef attacked Hamid with an iron rod, while 15 others joined in, to help Yousef. In the skirmish, Hamid was seriously injured.