June 19, 2009
Survival of Rohingyas in Arakan at stake
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The survival of Rohingyas in Arakan State is at stake as Burma’s border security force (Nasaka), police; Sarapa (Military Intelligence) and army have stepped up persecution against the community, said a Rohingya leader from Maungdaw town on condition of anonymity.
The authorities extort money from Rohingya villagers by arbitrary arrests and torture, confiscate farmlands from Rohingya farmers and thus push them into joblessness. Besides, Rohingya villagers are not allowed to move freely to earn their livelihood.
Rohingyas live in a big jail like a caged bird. Arakan has 17 townships, but Rohingyas are not allowed to go from one town to another. Sometimes, Rohingyas are allowed to go to another town but have to get many recommendations (documents) from the authorities. For getting these documents, Rohingyas have to spend money and time.
For instance, Major Kyi Hlaing, the commander of Nasaka area No, 6 along with Sarapa officer Myint Swe, the second officer of the camp has been extorting money from Rohingya villagers on false and concocted cases.
The two officers are notorious. Major Kyi Hlaing had collected a lot of money from Rohingya villagers while he was the Commander of Maungdaw south and Nasaka area No. 9 of Buthidaung Township, said a schoolteacher from Maungdaw Town.
Though the Nasaka area No.6 is very close to Nasaka Headquarters, Major Kyi Hlaing, has been committing many crimes against the community without caring a hoot for the headquarters.
Major Kyi Hlaing robbed kyat 1.6 million from a Rohingya villager Hussain Ahmed (50), son of Salamat, from Naribil (Kyaukpyinseik) village of Maungdaw township on June 16. He has an account in the Kambawza Bank, which is owned by the military government. The money was sent to him by his relative to the bank from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). But, Major Kyi Hlaing robbed the money from him by saying that the money was not legal, said a close relative of the victim.
Moreover, on June 1, Kyat 400,000 was taken away from Hussain Ahmed (25), son of Abul Kasim, from Sorfodin Bill ( Hlapoe khuang) village and kyat 600,000 from Sultan (32), from Amtoli Para (village) by Major Kyi Hlaing on allegations that they have Bangladeshi mobile sets. The two victims belong to Maungdaw Township, said a cousin of Hussain Ahmed.
Besides, on May 20, a woman Zule Kha wife of Dawla Meah from Sarfoddin (Hlapoe khuang) village in Maungdaw Township committed suicide after quarrelling with her mother-in-law. So, Major Kyi Hlaing arrested her husband and extorted kyat 600,000, on May 20. Later, on June 14, kyat 1,300,000, was also extorted from him. One week later, the father-in-law of Zule Kha was also arrested and extorted kyat 700,000, said a close relative of Dawla Meah.
On June 15, a Rohingya villager La Gu (45), son of Md. Hashim, was arrested by the Nasaka of area No. 8 while he was on his way from west Donsay Para to east Donsay Para on a personal matter. He belongs to west Donsay Para in Maungdaw Township. The Nasaka officer of the camp alleged that he had a Bangladeshi mobile set and was involved in smuggling to Bangladesh. However, he was released after he paid kyat 150,000, said a friend of La Gu who declined to be named.
“This way, Nasaka extorts money from Rohingya villagers illegally. How will they survive in their motherland,” asked a village elder.
KPN News Team
First News Agency dedicated for Rohingya Media.
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