Bangladesh authorities demolish scores of Rohingya shops

Bangladesh, Education, Help Refugees, Human Rights, Myanmar, Refugees Issues, Religious Rights

Bangladesh authorities have demolished about 1,000 shops belonging to Rohingya in camps with a rights worker saying the move would have a “huge impact” on refugees’ livelihoods.

Bangladeshi camp officials armed with excavators, hammers and shovels bulldozed the shops in several camps in the Cox’s Bazar area on Thursday and Friday, leaving shell-shocked Rohingya shop-owners scrambling to salvage their goods.

Deputy Refugee Commissioner Shamsud Douza said authorities were demolishing “illegal” shops in all camps.

“We have evicted about a thousand illegal shops. We are evicting illegal shops to build shelters for Rohingya,” he told AFP news agency.

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Hundreds of Rohingya gathered at the eviction sites as excavators tore through the bamboo and steel structure. Some broke down in tears, while others panicked.

‘Only means of livelihood’

“They broke down my shop. That was my only means of livelihood. With its income, I could support a family of seven,” said Al Amin, 30.

“Thousands of Rohingyas have been hit by this shop demolition drive,” he told AFP.

“I don’t know what to do now. What can I say? The Myanmar army has destroyed our fortunes. Now we lost our fortune once again.” “My family has to be fed,” cosmetics trader Abdur Rashid, 24, said.