Additional Troops Deployed, Dozens Arrested in Joint Operations Across Cox’s Bazar and South Chattogram
Security has been significantly strengthened in and around the Rohingya refugee camps, as well as across the wider Cox’s Bazar region, ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, military officials confirmed on Tuesday (February 10).
Speaking at a joint forces press briefing and views-exchange meeting held at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Centre at around 11:00am, Lieutenant Colonel Tanveer Ahmed of the Bangladesh Army’s Ramu-based 10 Infantry Division said enhanced security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
According to Lt Col Tanveer, additional army personnel have been deployed inside and around the camps. The number of security checkpoints has been significantly increased, damaged perimeter fencing has been repaired, and both routine and long-range patrols are ongoing.
He said the Bangladesh Army, in coordination with the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) and other law enforcement agencies, is maintaining strict surveillance across the Rohingya camps.
In a written statement presented at the briefing, Lt Col Sutapa Jaman said that acting on intelligence information, a joint search operation was conducted on February 8 in the Balukhali area of Ukhiya upazila. The operation was carried out by a special army task force in coordination with police and the upazila administration.
During the drive, 784 Rohingyas were detained, including 211 men, 196 women, 197 children, and 180 elderly persons. At the same time, 20 Bangladeshi house owners were detained on allegations of illegally sheltering Rohingyas outside designated camps.
Earlier, on February 5, another cordon-and-search operation was conducted in the Barampara area of Chandanaish upazila in Chattogram district. The operation involved a special army task force, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and the civil administration. A total of 345 Rohingyas, including women and children, were detained and later handed over to the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC).
Lt Col Sutapa further said that between February 3 and February 9, a total of 46 joint operations were conducted across South Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar under the leadership of the Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
During these operations, 59 individuals were arrested, including listed top terrorists, drug traffickers, members of robbery gangs, juvenile gang members, smugglers, and suspects in various criminal cases.
Security forces also recovered six illegal firearms, 14 rounds of ammunition, 114 locally made sharp weapons, 8,450 yaba tablets, 2,311 litres of locally brewed alcohol, 49 litres of beer, and materials allegedly used for subversive activities.
Responding to questions regarding the army’s deployment in the four parliamentary constituencies during the election, Lt Col Tanveer said adequate forces have been deployed across South Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar under the 10 Infantry Division. Temporary camps have also been established near each polling station to ensure comprehensive security during the polls.
