Some Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar used boats to ferry to Bangladesh but they ran from one problem into another. It was reported that 20 of these boats were destroyed by Bangladeshi authorities on the pretense that smugglers were using the exodus to smuggle methamphetamine to Bangladesh.
Refugees wept as they told news reporters that the border guards beat up and arrested the passengers and crew as they arrived at Shah Porir Dwip which is located on the southern tip of Bangladesh.
Border Guards Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ariful Islam denied the allegations and said none of the people were harmed and the action to destroy the ships were done to avoid the smuggling of methamphetamine.
The Lieutenant Colonel was quoted saying, “The boats are trying to carry passengers they are not supposed to.”
The Lieutenant Colonel explained that the organizers of the boat travel were taking advantage of the destitute Rohingyas and charged them for the short trip. Even though most of the Muslims traveled for free some of them said they paid 10,000 Bangladeshi takas ($ 123) to travel to Bangladesh.
A few of the passengers told news channels that they did not see any drugs being carried on board. But the Lieutenant Colonel Islam reported that a huge quantity was found in the water on Tuesday night. He said, “Maybe the carrier had dropped it before disembarking.”
Also Read: Myanmar Uses Brute Force Against Civilians
