Two Rohingya women and three alleged brokers were detained while allegedly attempting to obtain Bangladeshi passports using false identities at the regional passport office in Double Mooring, Chattogram, on Wednesday.
The women were identified as Rahima Khatun, 55, and Afifa Bibi, 18. Ansar member Md. Mosharraf Hossain noticed their suspicious movements while on duty at the passport office and questioned them. During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to being Rohingya.
Based on information provided by the two women, Ansar personnel deployed at the passport office conducted an immediate operation on the premises and detained three alleged brokers. They were identified as Jitu Das, 28, Shibir Sadek, 25, and Zahir Ahmed, 52.
The three allegedly assisted the women in an attempt to obtain Bangladeshi citizenship and passports illegally.
Ansar members searched the detainees and recovered three smartphones, one feature phone and Tk 42,858 in cash. The passport authorities were subsequently informed of the incident.
The passport office authorities praised the prompt action by the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, saying such vigilance is important for protecting the country's internal security, sovereignty and international reputation.
Later, all five detainees, along with the seized mobile phones and cash, were formally handed over to a team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) for further legal action.
