A deep conspiracy to obstruct investment

• Chinese national arrest operation in Cox’s Bazar
• The way it was publicized in the media raises questions:Engineer Mr. A N M Helal Uddin

Sakhawat Hossain & Shamsul Haque Sharek

At a time when Chinese investment in Bangladesh is on the rise, several Chinese nationals were arrested in a raid in Cox’s Bazar over what appear to be flimsy allegations, deliberately timed — something intelligence experts view as part of a deep conspiracy against the country. Many foreign nationals living illegally in the country, including Indians, are getting involved in criminal activities such as the drug trade, smuggling, hundi, and digital fraud. Illegal foreign residents in major cities across the country, including Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna, operate right under the nose of law enforcement. Yet the Home Ministry has issued no instructions to police, RAB, or intelligence officials to take action against them. Even so, this operation was mysteriously carried out in Cox’s Bazar on the orders of top Home Ministry authorities, despite no evidence linking those arrested to any major crime.

Speaking to Inqilab on condition of anonymity, an SB official said that since 18 November last year, various initiatives have been underway to identify illegal foreign nationals living in the country and take legal action against them. Currently, the number of foreign nationals residing illegally in the country stands at 33,648. Around 33,000 foreigners are working at various institutions even after their visas have expired. Among them are nationals of India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, various African countries, and the Philippines. However, among illegal residents, Indian nationals alone number more than six thousand. Intelligence sources claim the actual number of Indian nationals living illegally in Bangladesh is far higher than this.

Representatives of concerned circles believe that, since Bangladesh has recently been in discussions with China over the Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor, it is extremely urgent for the government to examine whether police or the Home Ministry arrested Chinese nationals under pressure from, or to please, parties who do not want this initiative to succeed. In their view, rather than presenting any individual or nationals of a specific country as criminals before allegations are proven, the actual truth should be uncovered through transparent investigation and fair justice. The Chinese nationals’ arrest has also raised questions about how effective law enforcement’s surveillance and information database is regarding nationals of various countries staying in Cox’s Bazar.

According to law enforcement sources, a large portion of illegal residents in Bangladesh, including Indians, are also being caught in criminal activities such as bank ATM fraud, credit card fraud, online casinos, trafficking in non-conventional drugs, counterfeit currency production, illegal VoIP business, gold smuggling, and human trafficking. Currently, 379 foreign nationals from 8 countries are serving jail terms for various crimes. Over the past 10 years, 850 nationals from 33 countries have been made accused in various criminal cases, with Nigerians topping the list, followed by nationals of Pakistan and Cameroon. Most of them entered the country on business or tourist visas, with some arriving on “on-arrival” visas and then overstaying illegally.

According to police sources, a raid was carried out at a hotel in the Kolatoli area of Cox’s Bazar city on Thursday night, in which six Chinese nationals were arrested on charges of online financial fraud, and a large quantity of electronic equipment, including nearly two thousand iPhones, was recovered. Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Wahidur Rahman said the six detained Chinese nationals have been sent to jail, adding that jail authorities are somewhat troubled since the detainees have refused to eat any food.

Multiple sources say nationals from India, Myanmar, and various Western countries have long maintained a presence in Cox’s Bazar, with citizens of different countries regularly visiting the district in connection with tourism, development work, business, international organizations, and the Rohingya issue. This has also raised questions among concerned circles about whether law enforcement holds specific information regarding the presence, activities, and identities of these foreign nationals. They ask whether there is any particular reason behind the sudden, large-scale police operation focused solely on the presence and activities of Chinese nationals, and its extensive media coverage — a question that has naturally sparked discussion.

On this matter, Cox’s Bazar Forum President, Engineer Mr. A N M Helal Uddin, told Inqilab that it is natural for police to take action against any criminal, and there should be no question about action being taken against anyone who commits a crime according to law. However, he said, the way this was publicized in the media, focusing solely on the detention of Chinese nationals, raises questions. He noted that Cox’s Bazar is an international tourist city with a regular presence of nationals from various countries due to the Rohingya crisis, and that there should therefore be a balanced and consistent policy for investigating and enforcing the law regarding the activities of foreign nationals.

Questions over publicity before allegations are proven: Concerned circles say that if any individual or foreign national is involved in a serious crime, action under existing law is certainly necessary. However, questions have also been raised over how justified it is to widely present those arrested as members of an international fraud ring before the investigation is complete and the allegations proven in court. In their view, alongside ensuring the rule of law, importance must also be given to investigating allegations, gathering evidence, and following due judicial process. Police sources said four more people have been named as absconding accused in the case.