Teknaf, Burma, Kaladan News: An unregistered Rohingya refugee widow was gangs raped by local goons while she was carrying firewood from nearby hill in southern Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, said Hussain, a refugee from the camp.

The victim was identified as Toyuba Khatun, 42, of Dum Dum Mia makeshift
camp of Teknaf union, under the Cox's Bazar district. Her husband was dead
two years ago after getting serious illness, he further said.

At about 10:00 am, on 18th December, the widow Toyouba Khatun went to
nearby hill to collect firewood together with three refugee boys of under
ten. She always goes to nearby hill to collect firewood and maintains
herself by selling it, he more added.

On that day, in the evening, after collecting firewood, while on her way
back accompanied by refugee boys, suddenly a group of local goons came with lethal weapons and forcibly chased all of them to nearby forest. Fastening all the boys to a tree with a rope, the local goons forcibly raped her in routine in front of the refugee boys, said one of the boys.

The victim and the refugee boys were released after for a while, but her
earring was taken away by the goons. One of the boys ran to the makeshift
camp to inform the incident to the camp.

On hearing the news, some refugees immediately went to the spot and saw the victim was lying on the ground in unconscious state. But the mob of the refugees didn't find the culprits as they had already run away from the spot, said another refugee named Abdul Malik.

At present, Toyouba Khatun is living at her shanty hut without having any
aid of medical treatment from any quarter. Some concerned local authorities were apprised of this event by some refugee elders, but they take no action against the culprits till writing this report, he more added.

About 10,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees are living in the shabby and
unhealthy shacks on the bank of Naf River in Teknaf without getting any
help from outsides in subhuman condition. They crossed Burma-Bangladesh
border following religious and political persecutions by present military
ruler in Arakan State, Burma.