Rohingya camp on edge as back-to-back killings unfold in Cox’s Bazar

The killings intensify tensions and renewed fears of armed group rivalries in the camps

Violence has gripped a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar after two influential community leaders were killed within hours of each other, deepening anxiety among residents.

The latest victim, Mohammad Kamal, a camp “Majhi” and younger brother of detained Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) leader Nabi Hossain, was killed on Wednesday afternoon.

Just hours earlier, on Tuesday evening, Kefayet Ullah Halim, chief of the Arakan Rohingya Organisation (ARO), had also been killed.

Both ARO and ARA are armed groups known within the camps by the names of their leaders.

Riaz Uddin Ahmed, acting commander of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn-8), said Kamal was shot dead around 2:30pm at Camp-8 East in Ukhiya.

“He was shot in the head and chest. Following the incident, law enforcers have intensified patrols in the area and the situation is currently under control.”

Kamal’s cousin, Ayub Hossain, alleged that 12 to 13 members of the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation carried out the attack as Kamal was leaving a mosque after Zuhr prayers and heading to a nearby market.

He said Kamal was declared dead upon arrival at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Nayek Saiful Islam, in charge of the hospital police outpost, confirmed the body has been sent for a postmortem.

The back-to-back killings have triggered panic across the camp, raising fears of further unrest among the Rohingya population.