ARSA Introduces Currency in Cox's Bazar Rohingya Camps

Myanmar's Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has launched its own currency in the Rohingya camps at Ukhia and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar. Initially, the currency was introduced in a few camps, but they want to introduce the currency in all camps in phases.

They have also started campaigning for the currency in their group ARSA through social media.

Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasanuzzaman said, "We are not aware of the introduction of ARSA currency in the refugee camps." Necessary steps will be taken after examining the matter.

Military analyst Major (retd) Emdadul Islam said that the introduction of such currency in Rohingya camps was a threat to Bangladesh.

He said that usually a country launches its own currency after it is established. Why did a militant organization introduce currency? The matter is dubious. Bangladesh government should take the issue seriously.

According to multiple sources in the Rohingya camp, ARSA has started trading with the new currency. This is being propagated through social media. In a few days, the new currency will be introduced in all the camps controlled by ARSA. 

It is learned that ARSA initially released notes of one thousand, 500 and 100 currency. The notes have pictures of ARSA leader Ataullah printed on them.

Out of 32 Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, ARSA has sole dominance in 27 of them. Abu Ammar Jununi alias Ataullah, a Pakistani national who grew up in Saudi Arabia, is currently leading a section of ARSA.

Gafur Uddin, chairman of Ukhia's Palangkhali Union Parishad, said the launch of the currency camp in Myanmar was a "warning sign" for us. The administration, including the law enforcement agencies, should take action in this regard now.