Two Rohingya men have been arrested for allegedly drugging and raping a mother and her teenage daughter in a refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred on Monday night at Balukhali Rohingya Camp No. 17 in Palongkhali Union.
The victims, residents of Block B in the same camp, were reportedly given juice laced with sedatives by the accused, Habibullah (50), son of Syed Hossain, and Habibullah (19), son of Mohammad Hossain. After losing consciousness, the mother and daughter were allegedly raped in turns before the perpetrators fled.
According to Ukhiya Police Station’s acting officer-in-charge (OC) Muhammad Arif Hossain, the attack was premeditated. The victims regained consciousness later and informed their family and camp authorities, leading to an overnight raid that resulted in the arrests.
The mother and daughter were sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for medical examinations. The OC confirmed that legal proceedings are underway under relevant laws.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of women in Rohingya camps, where reports of sexual violence remain alarmingly frequent. Authorities face mounting pressure to strengthen security measures for vulnerable refugees.