Syndicate helping Rohingyas get NID cards, passports

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 23: A strong syndicate is actively involved in managing issuance of passports and National Identity (NID) cards to the Rohingya refugees in Chattogram, in exchange for a large some of money.

Sources said Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is conducting investigation into the issuance of passports to the Rohingya people in Chattogram now.

In the primary investigation, ACC has found that a strong syndicate is working to help the Rohingya people get passports and NID cards.

At least three travel agencies, some dishonest officials of the passport office, ward councillors, chairmen of the union parishads, employees of their offices and also employees of the lawmakers' offices in Cox's Bazar are parts of this syndicate, the ACC investigation found.

Ratan Kumar Das, assistant director of ACC, Chattogram, said, "We've already completed primary investigation into issuance of passports to the Rohingya people in Chattogram. We'll send the report to Dhaka very soon. If we get the directive from top level in this regard, we'll start further investigation."

He also said, "After sending the report to Dhaka, we will publish it in the media. In the primary investigation, the ACC has got very important information regarding the issuance of Bangladeshi passports to the Rohingya people." Sources said there are two passport offices in Chattogram.

[email protected]