Two Muslim children injured in gunfight between Bangladeshi police and ARSA at Kutupalong refugee camp

By Admin 23 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 February 2023, Maungdaw

Two children were reportedly injured in a clash between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Bangladeshi police at No. 8 Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar District at around noon on February 22.

A person who declined to be named told DMG that a 30-minute gunfight broke out when Bangladeshi police pursued and arrested some ARSA members after receiving information that there were members of the armed group in the Kutupalong refugee camp.

“The Bangladeshi police arrested the ARSA members at around 12 noon yesterday. ARSA members often go in and out of Kutupalong refugee camp,” the unnamed source added. “Yesterday, there was an exchange of fire between the Bangladeshi police and ARSA members, and two children were injured after being hit by bullets.”

Abdullah Aziz, 8, sustained gunshot wounds to his right leg and Umar Hafsa, 11, was struck in her abdomen. The pair are being treated at a local hospital in Cox’s Bazar District.

A refugee who did not want to be named confirmed that ARSA members have been entering and leaving the Kutupalong refugee camp, abducting and killing refugees.

“ARSA members often go in and out of Kutupalong refugee camp. They [ARSA members] kill or arrest some Rohingya refugees, accusing them of contacting media outlets. ARSA members have weapons, so we cannot retaliate. As such events happen frequently, we are worried about our safety,” the unnamed Rohingya refugee explained.

Abdul Rohim, a 37-year-old manager of No. 12 Kutupalong refugee camp, was shot dead by ARSA members on February 21.