Locals attack unofficial refugee camp, injure six

Kaladan News

February 21, 2009

Locals attack unofficial refugee camp, injure six

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Locals attacked Burmese refugees belonging to the unofficial Leda camp on February 20, at about 5.00 pm in the evening and seriously injured six refugees, including women and boys, Noor Mohammed, a shed leader of the camp said.

According to Hafez Ayub, another shed leader, a local youth went to the shed on the pretext of drinking water, and he tried to tease a young girl named Rashida Begum (20). But, the refugees and her relatives stopped him from disturbing the girl. After which, he entered into an altercation with the other refugees.

On hearing about the incident, a group of local youths totaling about 40, led by Nurul Huda, went to the spot with weapons and iron rods in order to attack the refugees.

After arriving at the camp, the locals called all the refugees, who had an altercation with the local youth, took them to a nearby market and beat them up severely. However, the refugees did not retaliate.

The injured have been identified as Kamal (57), Block-D, shed #285, Iman Hussain (18), Block-D, shed # 285, Nazir Hussain (27), Block-B, shed # 72, Shahzan Begum (50), Block-D, shed # 285, Rashida Begum (20), Block- D, shed # 77, and Zaker Hussain (12), Block-D, shed # 285 of Leda camp.

Of the injured, Kamal, Nazir Hussain, Shahzan and Rashida are in a serious condition. Nazir Hussain, however, is critical, a relative from the camp said.

According to sources, the local youths came to the unofficial camp and insulted the women and girls. There is no government security and the camp is also situated in an isolated area. The refugees are disturbed frequently by the local people, while the refugees leave the camp to go to work or for marketing and other purposes.

The refugees went to local elders and informed them about the matter in detail, and the local elders said that they would look into it.