9 Rohingya men detained for working in Maheshkhali hiding identity

Nine Rohingya men have been detained from Maheshkhali upazila in Cox's Bazar district who were working there under an International Non-governmental Organization ACF, hiding their identity.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Matarbari Union Parishad Chairman Mohammad Ullah, said that the detained Rohingya people were working at a construction project of WASH under ACF (Action against Hunger).

Locals detained them from Notun Bazar and Bangla Bazar areas of Matarbari around 6:30am and handed them over to local administration with the help of village police, said the UP chairman.

According to the sources, the Rohingyas had been working there as construction workers of M/S Ali Construction for about two months under the WASH project of ACF.

Mohammad Ali, the owner of the company said he had no information about the Rohingyas.

When contacted, ACF Manager Logistics Didarul Islam and Rakibul Arefin blamed each other and said they didn't know anything.

However, the detained Rohingya men were handed over to Matarbari police camp, said the UP chairman.

Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahafuzur Rahman said, "It is being investigated who is behind the employment of Rohingyas. Legal action will be taken after identifying those involved."