Joint Forces Detain 1,500 Rohingya in Massive Crackdown on Illegal Settlements

Authorities allege that these settlements were orchestrated by an influential syndicate that carved out the hills to build over 350 makeshift houses, charging refugees monthly rents ranging from Taka 2,000 to 3,000.

Local residents had long complained that these inaccessible hill colonies served as a safe haven for criminal activities, including the burgeoning drug trade and organized extortion. During the operation, which began early Sunday morning, security forces cordoned off the entire Maragachhtala area. While hundreds were apprehended, several others reportedly managed to flee into the deeper forests. Law enforcement also detained several individuals from the "owner" group responsible for renting out the illegal structures, who reportedly confessed to providing unauthorized shelter for financial gain.

Executive Magistrate Monju Bin Afnan, who led the administrative side of the operation, confirmed that the detained individuals are being processed for relocation back to registered camps through the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC). Immediate judicial actions were taken against seven local individuals involved in the syndicate: five were fined for illegal land encroachment, while two were handed prison sentences for their direct involvement in drug trafficking. This crackdown follows a series of similar operations in neighboring districts like Chattogram’s Chandanaish, as the government intensifies security measures ahead of the February 12 National Election.

Administration officials stated that these illegal colonies outside camp boundaries pose a severe threat to public safety and regional stability. They vowed to continue such raids to dismantle criminal hideouts and prevent further deforestation in the ecologically sensitive hills of Cox's Bazar.