More than 450,000 Rohingyas are reportedly in Maungdaw across Teknaf border. Hundreds of people smugglers in the border region are offering to bring them to Bangladesh in exchange for money. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard officials say they have intensified patrol in the Naf River to prevent infiltration.
These Rohingyas are staying in Nalbunia, Perangpur, Nurullapara, Azizer Beel, Kadir Beel, Megichong, Mangala, Fadongcha and Hasurata areas bordering Teknaf and Naf rivers, sources say.
In the past two weeks, no Rohingya could enter through Tumbru, Ghumdhum, Rahmater Beel in Ukhiya, Whykong and Kherankkhali in Teknaf due to strict monitoring by BGB and the Coast Guard. In this situation, the Naf river, which flows for 54 kilometres, has now become the target of people smugglers.
In addition to preventing Rohingya infiltration, the challenge now is to tackle these smugglers. BGB and Coast Guard patrols have been strengthened in the Naf River.
HM Lutful Lahil Majid, Coast Guard Station Commander of Teknaf, said many Rohingyas are trying to enter Bangladesh through the Naf River border. “We’ve increased our vigilance to prevent people smugglers from taking advantage of the situation. We’ve warned fishermen against getting involved in such activities,” he said.

Noor-E-Alam Mina, deputy inspector general of police’s Chattogram Range, said many Rohingyas staying in Bangladesh have relatives in Myanmar. There could be attempts to bring them here.

In 2017, there was a significant influx of Rohingyas through Anjuman Para in Ukhiya and Naf River in Teknaf. Organised smugglers initially brought Rohingyas using fishing boats and trawlers. But fishing in Naf River was stopped in February this year as part of preventing Rohingya infiltration. At the same time, the movement of tourist ships from Teknaf to Saint Martin has also been suspended.
Meanwhile, intermittent shelling and firing continue in Myanmar's Maungdaw. Some of the shells are also falling into Bangladeshi territory, causing casualties.
Earlier this month, an intense assault by Arakan Army forced several hundred Myanmar border guards and officials of other government agencies to flee to Bangladesh. Dhaka repatriated them last week.

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