Mass grave of Rohingyas reportedly found in Padang Besar of Malaysia, local media say

A mass grave, believed to contain the bodies of around 100 Rohingyas, has reportedly been found in Malaysian border town of Padang Besar, local media say.

Although the exact location of the grave had not been confirmed, sources told the Star Online that Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was expected to hold a press conference.

Sources also told the online portal of Malaysian newspaper the Star that police commando and forensic teams from Bukit Aman arrived at the scene on Friday evening.

“So far, no details are available as it is believed police are in the middle of conducting the operation,” the Star Online quoted a source as saying.

It also quoted a police officer as saying that the location was an area restricted to civilians.

“The place has been cordoned off and it is located at a hilly site,” he told the Star Online.

A villager told the Malaysian newspaper that there was a possibility that a mass grave had been found in Padang Besar.

A check at the Padang Besar clinic showed the place to be quiet, the Star online reported.

The Padang Besar town was also normal, the report added, except for a few police vehicles parked in front of food stalls.

Rohingyas trying to get away from atrocities inflicted on them in Rakhine State back in Myanmar are easy prey for traffickers.

Bangladeshis, trying to flee from poverty, are also persuaded to get on board with promises of a good life in Malaysia.

Earlier in May, a mass grave of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants was found in Thailand, the first stop on the most common trafficking route used by criminals.

With rubber trade showing signs of a distinct slump in Thailand, human trafficking has emerged as a lucrative alternative, and local communities are being sucked in with handsome monetary inducements.

However, a Thai crackdown later led human traffickers to abandon boats carrying thousands of migrants.