Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohibullah was shot dead by unidentified criminals at his office at Kutupalong Camp in Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar district on Wednesday night.
“Three armed men entered the office of Mohibullah and fired five bullets when he came out after offering Esha prayers at around 8:30pm,” said the Police.
Mohibullah was near the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) camp-1 east office.
“Three bullets hit Mohibullah’s chest, leaving him critically injured. The criminals fled the scene immediately afterwards,” said Jakir Hossain Khan, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (crime) of Chattogram Range Police.
“He was taken to Kutupalong MSF Hospital where doctors declared him dead,” said the DIG.
Mohibullah was the chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPH) and played a vital role in the Rohingya repatriation process, according to police.
Mohibullah was a very popular leader in the community and had a great role in uniting Rohingyas who fled Myanmar fearing persecution by the security forces of that country, said the local sources.
The sources also said that Rohingyas had staged a mass rally led by Mohibullah voicing their demands, which made headlines.
Mohibullah also visited the White House in the United States of America in July 2019 and talked to former president Donald Trump about the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
“Rohingya repatriation will face difficulties now as Mohibullah was a renowned Rohingya leader,” said the researcher and professor of Chittagong University Rahman Nasir Uddin.
He also said that “In the last few days, Mohibullah mobilised and geared up Rohingyas to raise their voices for repatriation, drawing international attention. Rohingyas who are against Rohingya terrorist groups, relied on Mohibullah and listened to his directives in moments of crises.”
“Mohibullah was someone who always defended the rights of the Rohingya to safe and dignified returns and to have a say in the decisions concerning their lives and future.” said a statement by Human Rights Watch.
