THE world is observing the 8th Rohingya Genocide Remembrance this year to honour the genocide against the Rohingyas that occurred in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The Rohingya crisis, often considered one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of the 21st century, has attracted global attention to the plight of the Rohingya people in Bangladesh. Beginning in the late 20th century, the Rohingyas have faced systemic persecution, violence and denial of citizenship by the Myanmar government, which unfairly labels them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite their long-standing presence in the region. The latest and most severe outbreak of violence began in August 2017, following a violent military crackdown by Myanmar in response to attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group. This campaign, characterised by widespread killings, sexual violence and arson, led to over 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, joining thousands who had already sought refuge in previous years. Currently, Bangladesh is hosting more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, making it one of the largest refugee populations in the world.
While Bangladesh has received praise for its humanitarian efforts, the large influx of refugees has also created significant security challenges, including socio-economic pressures, geopolitical tensions and an increased risk of radicalisation in the southern part of Bangladesh.
One of the most pressing security challenges posed by the influx is the strain on local communities and resources. Cox’s Bazar, a region already grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, has experienced a population increase of over a million. The environmental impact of the Rohingya camps has been substantial, with extensive deforestation and soil erosion occurring due to the demand for shelter materials and firewood. These pressures have intensified tensions between the refugee population and local communities, who feel that their needs are being neglected in favour of the Rohingyas. At times, these tensions have escalated into violence, further complicating the security situation.
Economic security in the camp area has declined since the arrival of the Rohingyas, with prices of everyday goods increasing about threefold. Routine grocery items such as milk powder, chilli powder, sugar, salt, garlic, onion and turmeric have become more expensive. This surge in prices has impacted both ordinary Rohingyas and the host residents, although traders and producers have benefited from the situation.
Members of the host community have expressed concerns about the deteriorating labour market, with wages plummeting by nearly 50 per cent since the influx of Rohingyas. It has led to increased competition, as Rohingyas often accept lower pay for work in the area. However, Rohingyas are officially prohibited from working outside the camps. Many people secretly venture out to find short-term jobs in nearby towns, such as Ukhia, Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar. Rohingya workers are offering their labour in hotels, motels, restaurants, shops, vehicles and boats in Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin Island. During fieldwork for my PhD in 2023, I found several Rohingya mobile vendors working at Cox’s Bazar sea beach and Saint Martin Island. This situation has hurt the livelihoods and earnings of the host community.
The incidents of theft and robbery have surged in the camp area during the post-inflow period. Both communities have said that certain local and Rohingya youth have formed alliances to engage in these activities, taking advantage of the inadequate security in the camp. Theft of mobile phones, household items, and livestock, including cows, goats and chickens, has become a regular issue in this area. The host community has noticed a significant behavioural change in youths following the influx. This shift is attributed to the breakdown of the social structure and a decline in moral values among young people. Many local youths have engaged in various activities with the Rohingyas, such as supplying gas cylinders, providing goods and operating small shops. Conversely, some are involved in the illegal drug trade, including the sale of yaba tablets. Although yaba is not new to Bangladesh, its availability and accessibility have surged with the arrival of the Rohingyas, allowing local youths to seize the opportunity to become both drug dealers and users. Many hosts said that local youths are becoming involved in drug trafficking to major cities, like Dhaka and Chattogram. This has resulted in a significant intracultural shift among the youth in the host area, which parents and elders find difficult to accept.
A key danger in this area is the activity of Rohingya terrorist groups and the internal conflicts. The activities of the ARSA garnered significant attention following the assassination of Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohib Ullah at the Kutupalong camp. On November 23, 2022, ARSA’s commander-in-chief, Ataullah, was named the principal suspect in the murder of a DGFI officer, Squadron Leader Rizwan Rushdee, near the Tumbru border in Bandarban’s Naikkhangchhari, while RAB official Sohel Barua sustained injuries during a confrontation with drug smugglers.
The defence ministry prepared a report in 2023 and submitted it to the parliamentary standing committee. The report showed that at least 15 terrorist and militant groups are actively operating in the Rohingya camps, including ARSA, RSO, the Master Munna gang, the Islami Mahaj, and Nabi Hussain, etc. The Fortify report showed that these groups committed camp-based fatalities in the year 2022-2024 (See the figure), whereas around 90 people were killed, 384 people abducted, and 149 people faced extortion in 2023. In 2024, the abduction reached 446, although killings and extortion have decreased to 65 and 136, respectively.
Moreover, there is no clear resolution in sight. Efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar have consistently failed, primarily due to the lack of guarantees for their safety and rights. The Myanmar government has shown little willingness to address the root causes of the crisis or establish conditions that would allow refugees to return safely. As a result, the Rohingyas remain in limbo, unable to return home and facing limited opportunities for integration into Bangladeshi society. This prolonged displacement has created a sense of hopelessness among the refugees, which in turn has security implications.
However, the long-term sustainability of this response remains uncertain. The ongoing presence of over a million refugees poses significant risks to Bangladesh’s stability, security and development. Addressing these issues will require a coordinated and multifaceted strategy that involves not only the Bangladeshi government but also the international community, regional stakeholders and NGOs. China and India should be active partners in this situation since they have economic interests in Myanmar, particularly in the Rakhine state.
Dr Mohammad Mohiuddin is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Chittagong. This article is written based on the PhD fieldwork conducted in August-September 2023.
