Six Rohingya Immigrants Failed To Escape From Shelter In Aceh

Rohingya Refugees (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Six of the seven Rohingya immigrants who were accommodated at the Work Training Center (BLK) in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh, failed to escape after trying to take advantage of heavy rain and blackouts.

The supervisor of the Task Force for the Handling of Rohingya Immigrants, Lt. Col. Arm Oke Kistiyanto, said that one person managed to escape and is still being chased.

"They tried to escape on the evening of Tuesday, November 17. However, six of them were arrested, and another is still being chased," said Lt. Col. Arm Oke Kistiyanto in Lhokseumawe, reported by Antara, Wednesday, November 18.

Lieutenant Colonel Kistiyanto who is also the Commander of Kodim 0103 / North Aceh said they fled after taking advantage of the heavy rain and blackout conditions.

He mentioned that initially there were five people who escaped from the shelter at around 19.45 WIB. The five women, namely Samsunahar (21), Amira Bibi (18), Syahazam (18), Sajidah (20), and Janu Bibi (18).

"After knowing that someone had escaped, guard officers from the TNI and Polri immediately searched for and chased them. Until finally one of them on behalf of Samsunahar was found while hiding in the bushes soaking wet on Wednesday, November 18 at 00.20 WIB," he said. Kistiyanto too.

Three hours later, when officers searched for the four escaped immigrants, two other immigrants escaped from the shelter. Both are Umme Kawser (21) and Aisyah Begum (15).

"However, the officers finally found them hiding in the bushes behind BLK Lhokseumawe," said Kistiyanto again.

The search continued until officers finally found three other Rohingya immigrants at 07.49 WIB. They were found at a kiosk in Muara Dua, Lhokseumawe City, while waiting to be picked up. The three of them are Amira Bibi, Sajidah, and Janu Bibi.

"Another person named Syahazam is still in search. Meanwhile, the six Rohingya immigrants have been handed over to officials from international agencies to take care of evacuation," said Lieutenant Colonel Oke Kistiyanto as well.