Two Rohingya citizens who presented themselves as husband and wife while trying to get a National Identity Card (NID) were arrested in Kamarkhand Upazila of Sirajganj. The upazila administration handed them over to the police on Monday (August 25) afternoon.
The arrested are Rokeya Begum and Md. Anis (40).

Kamarkhand Upazila Election Officer Masud Rana said that Rokeya Begum arrived at the Upazila Election Office around 11:30 am on Sunday to register as a voter with fake documents. When discrepancies were noticed in the language and documents used by her during the application process, the matter seemed suspicious. The District Election Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer were immediately informed. Later, the woman was taken to the UNO office for questioning.

According to police sources, a young man came to the UNO office on Monday morning and introduced himself as Rokeya Begum’s husband. He is Md. Anis. During interrogation, both the husband and wife admitted that they are residents of Tengkhali Camp-12 G-4 Block in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar and are Rohingya. They were trying to collect national identity cards by illegally entering the country.

Kamarkhand Upazila Nirbahi Officer Anamika Nazrul said, “Both of the detainees have admitted that they are Rohingya. After initial confirmation of their identity, they were handed over to the police in the afternoon. In addition, inquiries are being made to determine whether they came here with the help of anyone.”

Abdul Latif, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kamarkhand police station, said preparations are underway to file a case against the detainees on charges of illegal entry. An investigation is also underway into who sheltered them or assisted them in the NID process.