UKHIYA, July 23 (V7N) — Police have arrested nine people, including the prime accused, in connection with the murder of Rohingya youth Abdul Hafiz at Jamtoli Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Authorities said the mystery surrounding the killing has been solved.
According to the 8th Armed Police Battalion (APBN), Abdul Hafiz, 20, a resident of Camp-15 (FDMN) Jamtoli area, went out of his home on Monday night, June 22, saying he was going to watch a football match with friends. When he did not return home late at night, his family searched for him among relatives and acquaintances. After failing to find him, they informed law enforcement agencies the following day.
Members of the Jamtoli Police Camp under 8 APBN launched an investigation into the disappearance. Using intelligence information, witness interviews and technological analysis, investigators identified several people allegedly linked to the incident.
On Saturday night, July 4, the decomposed body of Abdul Hafiz was recovered from a septic tank beside a shelter in Block H/7 of Camp-15. Police said the body had been hidden there after the murder. Following preparation of a seizure report, the body was sent to the morgue at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.
The victim’s elder brother, Md Jaminur Rahman, filed a murder case with Ukhiya Police Station, naming 16 people and accusing two to three unidentified individuals.
During the investigation, nine accused named in the case were arrested. Among them, Tayeba Khatun, Nasima Khatun and Syedul Islam reportedly gave confessional statements before the court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
On Monday night (July 20), a special operation led by Police Inspector Tarek Mohammad Abdul Hannan of the Jamtoli Police Camp and investigation officer SI Md Ala Uddin resulted in the arrest of the prime accused, Mohammad Rafiq, from Rohingya Camp-14 in Ukhiya.
The following day, Rafiq was produced before a Cox’s Bazar court, where he allegedly gave a confessional statement under Section 164. Investigators said he provided important information about the planning, execution and concealment of the murder, but details were not disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
Acting Commander of the 8th APBN, Riaz Uddin Ahmed, PPM, confirmed the development and said those involved in the crime were identified and brought under legal action through intelligence efforts, technology and continuous operations.
“Criminals will not escape punishment. The 8th APBN remains committed to maintaining peace and security in the camps, and strict legal action will be taken against offenders,” he said.
The recovery of the body and arrests after a 12-day investigation have brought relief among residents of Jamtoli camp. However, locals urged authorities to further strengthen patrols and intelligence monitoring to prevent killings, abductions and criminal activities in Rohingya camps.
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