Bangladeshi security forces in an army-led operation have detained more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees living outside designated camps, citing concerns they could be exploited to disrupt upcoming national elections.

The joint force raid began at dawn on Sunday in Balukhali, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, a senior officer said. The number detained is rising as the operation continues.

“There’s an apprehension that the Rohingya could be misused in the run-up to the thirteenth national parliamentary election,” the officer said.

The officer added that authorities have allocated areas within camps for the refugees, but many have broken rules to occupy land belonging to local Bangladeshis. This, he said, is a threat to local security.

Those detained are being held at a central location. “They won’t be returned to the camps immediately. First, everyone will be detained. Then an investigation will examine why they left their designated places in the camps,” the officer said. “After checking whether they are being exploited ahead of the election, arrangements will be made to return them through the local administration.”

Local journalists said law enforcement had taken a hardline stance to control the Rohingya scattered outside the camps. The operation followed another last Thursday in Dohazari, Chandanaish upazila, Chattogram, where joint forces detained more than 500 Rohingya and returned them to camps.