An Open Letter to Daw Suu Kyi of Burma (2)

By Dr. Habib Siddiqui

Dear Ms. Suu Kyi,

For more than a decade, as a concerned human rights activist, I have worked towards release of political prisoners like you and democratization of Burma (Myanmar). It was good to see that the new regime had the wisdom to eventually release you with so many others that were put behind the bars for no fault of theirs except that they demanded what is morally right and good for Burma. I am also glad that you along with 43 others of the NLD were able to participate in the April by-election and win. It was a great win for the people. A hearty congratulations to you and your party.

People’s expectations are high with such positive developments inside Burma. They like to believe that with your voice heard inside the lower house of the parliament their decades-old grievances would now be aired and you would do your utmost to bring about equality, fairness and justice so that no one irrespective of his/her ethnic or religious backgrounds would be treated unfairly in new Burma. For years, the military government had exploited intolerance of the ‘other’ people to further divide and rule the country. As you may, therefore, expect, no country in the world is as much poisoned by the evils of racism and bigotry as Burma is.

The latest pogrom against the Rohingyas of Burma once again underscore the fault line along race, ethnicity and religion. I am simply shocked to observe how an act of murder of a Rakhine woman by a criminal could trigger race- and religious riots in which ten innocent Muslims (from Rangoon proper and not Rakhine State) were mercilessly lynched by a mob of 300 hateful Rakhine extremists. If in our world such lone acts of violence by criminal elements within a society were to lay the very foundation and justification for lynching of an entire community, there won’t be any human being left alive on earth. And yet, that simple wisdom seemed to have missed the Rakhine leadership who stoked hatred of the Rohingya.

One would have expected that in new Burma with you leading the opposition camp in the Parliament, and the new government promising change, Burma would have said sayonara (good-bye) to such ugly displays of intolerance. As you well know, not only did not the local Rakhine leadership and security forces and police come to the aid of those innocent victims when they could have stopped the carnage, they simply rekindled the fire by attacking and firing upon unarmed peaceful Rohingya demonstrators in the Rakhine state. As the later evidences suggest that the Rakhine fascist leadership had tried to exploit the event as its Reichstag Fire moment to not only terrorize the Rohingya minorities so that they would have no choice but exodus out of the Rakhine state to nearby Bangladesh or elsewhere but also to secede from the rest of Burma. In the meantime, hundreds of Rohingya villages have been set on fire, affecting the precious lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of the Rohingya, already recognized throughout the world as the most persecuted community in our globe. Probably hundreds have also died in this latest pogrom. I am simply appalled and horrified by the monstrosity of such naked aggression against the Rohingyas and Muslims of Burma.

Dear leader, the world looks up to you as a moral voice of conscience, and not as a Bamar supremacist. You cannot allow the voices of intolerance within your party and the country to define you. Sadly, the activities of some of the leaders of the NLD had been anything but desirable. In his interviews, individuals like Nyo Myint sounded more like an intolerant racist and bigot than a wise spokesman who cares about fairness, equality, truth and justice. Such an intolerant image portrayed by members of your inner circle is unfortunate and would lower goodwill the world community now has for you, your party and your country.

The Rohingya-demand for equality in citizenship rights is a fair one and you must do everything possible to make such a reality. That should create the atmosphere for inclusion away from days of exclusion, which Burma needs desperately. Otherwise, divisive forces would put the nail in the coffin of federal Burma. It must embrace pluralism and cannot live in the past of hatred, racism, xenophobia and bigotry. The sooner the better!

Regards,
Dr Habib Siddiqui
(a well wisher),
USA

News on June 18, 2012

The authorities – Army, Nasaka and police- have been engaged in systematic looting, rape females, arson attack, and arrest on village after village inhabited of Rohingya community, accompanied by new settlers and Rakhines and butchering Rohingya men, women and children indiscriminately, a politician from Maungdaw

“Rohingyas , their rightful status as citizens of Burma, give back their lands and ensure all kinds of protection to these people  so that they may not have to flee their home to another country in the future.”

 BGB arrests 104 Rohingya at border

Border guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 104 Rohingyas from Naf River who crossed with small rowboats carrying 10 -15 people per boat today.  The Rohingya , mostly young , are fleeing for fear of arrest  by calling meeting  in every village under army and Nasaka where they arrested young Rohingyas  and kept them in the Nasaka Headquarters.

Arrest by Nasaka and army

Aabadulllah from Bagonena village.

20 Rohingyas from Gonnaipara, Hayoungkhali  village under Sherzar village tract .

3  Rohingyas from Paungzar village (Mohamed Sultan , Abdul Razak and another one )

Mulana Osman, from Labawza village.

Dr. Nawzumawddin was called by authority yesterday from his home and he is still in the custody of authority. Nobody knows the reason of keeping him.

Nurul Haq alias Kala, Fazal (ex- clerk), Fayazul Haq ( ex-middle school teacher) and Hussin (teacher)  from Ward number 4 after authority called meeting in Maungdaw today morning.

Younous , Ward administrator officer  from Ward number 2 after authority called meeting in Maungdaw today morning.

 Loot and destroy

Aabadullah’s house was destroyed   after looting from Bagonena village.

The authority –Army, Nasaka, Military intelligence and police intelligence round up the house of Hussin (teacher) from Wards number 4 where the authority tooted and beat severely to his family for his absence.

 Rape

Amina (not herreal name) was gang raped by Army till she died in Pandaung Pin (Nawlborna ara) village under Maungdaw yesterday.

2 Rohingya women were raped from Bagonena village.

 Foods

Rohingya community become short of foods as they are not able to go  to buy foods  from market for emergency Act 144 and most of the Rohingya property were looted and destroyed foods from shops and homes  by Rakhine with together  Hluntin, Police and Nasaka and army. Now, the Rohingya become starvation and not receipt aid from authority where Rakhine receipt it foods. So, Rohingya called to international community to help food under supervised of UN, according to an elder from Maungdaw.

Meeting

25- Rakhine community and 25- Rohingya community were called and held a meeting under   all concerned Maungdaw authorities where the authorities discussed to stay peacefully between two communities. But,  Nasaka director Lt.Col  Aung Gyi said that  the authority will  arrest  more persons  within next three days  to find out the person who create the problem.

Breaking News: June 17, 2012

Security forces arrest Rohingya in Maungdaw

The security forces – police, Hluntin, Burma border security force (Nasaka) and Army – are arresting Rohingya community in different villages of Maungdaw today (June 17, 2012).

The security forces are searching Rohingya young people, elders from Nyaung Chaung village to Allay Than KYaw (All the villages are along the road of Maungdaw- Allay Than Kyaw ).

Army stationed at Nurullah para from where the army operate killing, looting, arresting, rape and destroying houses. The security personnel held meeting with Rohingya villagers today where they threatened that “you will face more difficulties than now”. The army loots Rohingya villagers in Pandawpin village while they held the meeting in said village. The army only took away the valuables –gold and money- and destroyed every household item.

25 Rohingyas youth from Pandawpin (Nawbawna) arrested today morning from meeting which was called by security forces.

40 Rohingyas youth from Thayai Gonetan (Knone Na para)

35 Rohingyas from Oo Doung

20 Rohingyas youth from Bagonena

5  Rohingya from Kawzabil

9  Rohingyas from Lambagonena

Killed and wounded

2  Rohingyas were killed and 2  wounded in Bargowa village of Kyauktaw town

Rashid Ahmed was shot dead by Nasaka in front of Army in Zawmattat village today morning. Villagers buried the dead body in village graveyard.

Shawfique Ullah was also shot dead by Nasaka in front of Army in Lambagonena village.

Nawbe Husson was tortured by army and his house was destroyed and looted in Lambagonena village.

Iddres son of Shawfi was tortured by army in Lambagonena village.

Most of the villagers from Gudusara village flee from their village to avoid from the arrest and torture of army and Nasaka.

Burmese authority is using new tactics against Rohingya to flee from their homes. They destroy wealth of Rohingya community, arresting Rohingya youths front every village of Maungdaw south and brought them to the Nasaka  Headquarters where they are severely tortured and taking photographs after equipping lethal weapons – long swords, knives, flaming touches and fuel bottles- to prove the world  that they (Rohingyas) are terrorists through state media, according to an elder from Maungdaw.

“It is clear that the government is doing systematically ethnic cleansing to flee Rohingya community from their homeland ( Arakan).”

“The Rohingya will be suffering from starvation if the situation is going on. The Burmese authority distributed foods to Rkhine community, but not to Rohingya  community.”

Breaking News : June 16 evening

Security personnel start arresting Rohingya in Maungdaw

Security personnel – Police, Hluntin and Nasaka – start arresting Rohingya community in Maungdaw today (June 16, 2012). The police and Hluntin are still using Rakhine when they went to the Rohingya villages in Maungdaw.

Arrested person are:-

Younous , Chairman of Regional Development Association (RDA) with two other , name not know yet from Maungdaw Town.

Kaseim son of Rahim Ullah,  Berahaman son of Hussein, Molana Islam, Anis Ullah son of Molana Rashid, Ahmed Rafique son of Syed Islam,  one from Ward number 4  and another one is from Padaung , arrested by Nasaka  and Police while they are fishing in the stream near the Sawmawna para as they have no foods to feed their family.

Dildar son of Ano Meah, Salim Islam son of Abdul Goni, Nurul Islam, Nur Mohamed son of Amin Ullah were arrested by Nasaka from Thayai Gonetan ( Knonena para) village

Jamil son of Musawddin  and Mohamed Ali from Maungdaw Town

Burned down house and looting

The Security personnel burned down the following houses in Thayai Gonetan ( Knonena para) village today. The security personnel had loot their ( Rohingya) property before burned down.

Yousuf son of Hasson, Mohamed son of Habib Ullah, Abul Hussein son of Hasson, Master Fazal, Ferose son of  Yousuf, Shamshu son of Kaseim, Anwer son of Abu Taher and  Salim Ullah son of Abdul Goni.

New Settlers (Natala) and Rakhines together toke away cow from grassing field of Sammawna para, Myothu Gyi  and Nyaung Chaung villages.

Breaking News: June 16, morning

Source: Kaladanpress

Nasaka and Hluntin surround Sawmawna  para in Maungdaw

The Nasakapersonnel from three miles   and Hluntin surrounded the Rohingya village “ Sawmawna para” near Myothu Gyi  under Maungdaw over the allegation of hiding arms inside the village today morning. This village was set on fire by police, Hluntin and Rakhine . Some houses were burned in to ashes and remaining houses are facing the allegation where no men are living in the village. Only female are protecting their home from looting.

Now, Nasaka and Hluntin are searching houses by houses and the Rohingya people from Myothu Gyi and  Sawmawna para, are watching  the situation.

Houses burned down in KyaukTaw

20 houses were burned down by Rakhines in Apaukwa Village of Kyauktaw Township yesterday morning.  The army personnel nearby village came to the village and extinguished the fire.  No information of death.  Army deployed all the Rohingya villages in Kyauktaw south and north.

Rathedaung
Rakhines burned down the villages – Thamihla and Thangodown- yesterday.
Nasaka seizing kitchen swords from Shwezar

Nasaka personnel from camp 16 of Shwezar, Maungdaw are seizing kitchen swords from Rohingya houses of Shwezar village today morning. The Nasaka called the villagers with their family list and check the listed Rohingya and seizing the kitchen swords.

Looting in Maungdaw

Hluntin, police accompanied by Rakhines went to the Banga  para under Zawmatat village tract  and looted goods – Rice, valuables  and other goods- from house of Rashid Ahmed today morning.. The Commander of Nasaka called the villageer to hold a meeting today.

Checking family list and arrest

Nasaka and Rakhines are checking family list and arrested some villagers from Thanda village under Nasaka area number 7 today morning.

Stable Situation in Akyab, but facing food crisis

Source : Kaladanpress Chittagong, Bangladesh:  Today, the situation of Akyab (Sittwe), the capital of Arakan State is calm after deploying army.  Now, all the Rohingya villagers have been facing food crisis since the violence was broken out in Akyab, said a trader from Akyab on condition of anonymity.

Over 50,000 people are made homeless in Akyab after ethnic and religious violence.  Communal violence in western Arakan poses a threat to the country’s transition towards democracy. It is very important to find out the root cause of this violence and give a satisfactory solution for both sides.

The Rakhines do not sell food items to the Rohingyas in Akyab and the rain falls very heavily since yesterday causes acute shortage of food items and more over it is impossible to find shelters as their houses were burned down.. Now, they are living in schools, and other relatives’ houses with narrow spaces.  So, people mostly, children have been suffering from diseases such as diarrhea, cough, dysentery etc.

Today, the homeless people in Akyab are provided rice by local authorities. They received ¼ KG per head per day, which was donated by business people from Rangoon both Buddhists and Muslims.

Besides, 30 people of Myanmar Gri( Borwa) and Hindus are arrested by the army in Akyab township while going to arson Muslim Rohingy villages, said another village elder from Akyab.

On June (13),when  Vijay Nambian,   UN  chief Ba   ki Moon’s special adviser on Burma  accompanied by  Burma’s Border affairs Minister Gen Thein Htay and 15  Muslim religious leaders from Rangoon visited Akyab by helicopter, they were only allowed to observe  the Nazir para only as at that time it was only half burnt . After seeing the Nazir Para, they were flown to Rangoon under the pretext of insecurity at Akyab .

Moreover, today after Zuma prayer, in Maungdaw Township, Bomu Para of Aley Than Kyaw village tract, Horsara village,  Salim Para, Alima para( village) of Zaw Matet village tract, Shil Khali Para and Waisha Para under the Nasaka area No.7  of Maungdaw Township were attack by army with the collaboration of some Buddhist Rakhines  and looted— cows, fowls, goats, rice and food  items and other valuables— from the Rohingya villages. They also threatened the villagers by firing and when the villagers ran away into safe places, the army raped young girls and robbed their ornaments taking the advantage of absence of male members, said a villager from the locality.

Yesterday, Abdu Monaf, son of Abdul Haque, hailed from Horsara village under Zaw Matet village tract was killed by army after bringing him to their temporarily camp from his home.  He was stabbed on his foe-head. The army also raped his family members, said a relative.

In Buthidaung township, two sons of late Abdu Salam who are working at UNHCR and the son of Maulana Salman  who is also working at UNHCR  were arrested by police over the accusation that they passed information of northern Arakan to abroad. Police also arrested Rofique from Buthidaung over the allegation that he also gave cooperation with them, said a local elder from  Buthidaung

Over 1000 people were killed and some were wounded at Rathedaung Township while the Rakhine villagers set on fired  the villages , such as — Tha Oo Pyin, Saran Khata,  Kudir  Chaung,  Pyin Chaung,  Sarak Pyin, Anawk  Pyin  and Muzair Dia yesterday, said an youth from Rathedaung town.

Rakhines wrote letters to the remaining Rohingya villages in Rathedaung Township that they threatened to attack the Rohingya villages. So, they are living in constant fear and in security.

An Open Letter to Daw Suu Kyi of Burma

By Dr. Habib Siddiqui
Dear Ms. Suu Kyi,

For more than a decade, as a concerned human rights activist, I have worked towards release of political prisoners like you and democratization of Burma (Myanmar). It was good to see that the new regime had the wisdom to eventually release you with so many others that were put behind the bars for no fault of theirs except that they demanded what is morally right and good for Burma. I am also glad that you along with 43 others of the NLD were able to participate in the April by-election and win. It was a great win for the people. A hearty congratulations to you and your party.

People’s expectations are high with such positive developments inside Burma. They like to believe that with your voice heard inside the lower house of the parliament their decades-old grievances would now be aired and you would do your utmost to bring about equality, fairness and justice so that no one irrespective of his/her ethnic or religious backgrounds would be treated unfairly in new Burma. For years, the military government had exploited intolerance of the ‘other’ people to further divide and rule the country. As you may, therefore, expect, no country in the world is as much poisoned by the evils of racism and bigotry as Burma is.

The latest pogrom against the Rohingyas of Burma once again underscore the fault line along race, ethnicity and religion. I am simply shocked to observe how an act of murder of a Rakhine woman by a criminal could trigger race- and religious riots in which ten innocent Muslims (from Rangoon proper and not Rakhine State) were mercilessly lynched by a mob of 300 hateful Rakhine extremists. If in our world such lone acts of violence by criminal elements within a society were to lay the very foundation and justification for lynching of an entire community, there won’t be any human being left alive on earth. And yet, that simple wisdom seemed to have missed the Rakhine leadership who stoked hatred of the Rohingya.

One would have expected that in new Burma with you leading the opposition camp in the Parliament, and the new government promising change, Burma would have said sayonara (good-bye) to such ugly displays of intolerance. As you well know, not only did not the local Rakhine leadership and security forces and police come to the aid of those innocent victims when they could have stopped the carnage, they simply rekindled the fire by attacking and firing upon unarmed peaceful Rohingya demonstrators in the Rakhine state. As the later evidences suggest that the Rakhine fascist leadership had tried to exploit the event as its Reichstag Fire moment to not only terrorize the Rohingya minorities so that they would have no choice but exodus out of the Rakhine state to nearby Bangladesh or elsewhere but also to secede from the rest of Burma. In the meantime, hundreds of Rohingya villages have been set on fire, affecting the precious lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of the Rohingya, already recognized throughout the world as the most persecuted community in our globe. Probably hundreds have also died in this latest pogrom. I am simply appalled and horrified by the monstrosity of such naked aggression against the Rohingyas and Muslims of Burma.

Dear leader, the world looks up to you as a moral voice of conscience, and not as a Bamar supremacist. You cannot allow the voices of intolerance within your party and the country to define you. Sadly, the activities of some of the leaders of the NLD had been anything but desirable. In his interviews, individuals like Nyo Myint sounded more like an intolerant racist and bigot than a wise spokesman who cares about fairness, equality, truth and justice. Such an intolerant image portrayed by members of your inner circle is unfortunate and would lower goodwill the world community now has for you, your party and your country.

The Rohingya-demand for equality in citizenship rights is a fair one and you must do everything possible to make such a reality. That should create the atmosphere for inclusion away from days of exclusion, which Burma needs desperately. Otherwise, divisive forces would put the nail in the coffin of federal Burma. It must embrace pluralism and cannot live in the past of hatred, racism, xenophobia and bigotry. The sooner the better!

Regards,
Dr Habib Siddiqui
(a well wisher),
USA

TELL ME, WHAT IS WRONG IN CONTEMPORARY BURMA?

Dr. Abid Bahar

Burma’s ethnic problems is over half a century’s old. Rohingyas are a tiny minority who in Burma live mostly in the Arakan state in Western Burma. There are records of genocidal campaign against Rohingyas going on from the 30′s. It is obvious that under many decades of xenophobic military rule with majority of Burma’s people not over 5th graders and Burmese military’s 30% personnel from hardcore ultra nationalist Rakhine Mogh background one can’t expect something better either from the government or from the Rakhine populace for the racially different Rohingya community. As a result the ever present perpetrators now blame the victims as the perpetrators. Every indication shows that the present massacres were systematically planned and executed by Rakhine leaders one that is frequently mentioned in the media is Dr. Aye Chan. He has characterized Rohingyas a “influx viruses” requiring extermination.” He is known in the Rohingya community as the “Doctor of death.” (1)

Unfortunately, Rohingya massacre is not a new phenomenon, it was there in 1942, 1978, 1992 and now in June 2012. Due to the influx of refugees from Burma, both Rohingya, Rakhine and Chakmas, the Southern Chittagong of Bangladesh historically has been flooded (up to Sangha River) by Burmese refugees, most of whom however eventually became Bangladeshi citizens.. Despite this historic trend, Rakhine Moghs still claim that Rogingyas of Burma are Chittagonians.

In our time, to escape the oppressive Burmese regime’s atrocities, when Burmese refugees both Rohingyas and the other Burmese ethnic minorities floating all over the world for shelter, the ever proud Burmese government shows neither any remorse nor responsibility. From Rakhine Mogh’s repenting relentless anti Rohingya campaign, we see their comments on the internet. The New Mandala records the Rakhine reaction to a map drawn by the BBC showing the existence of Rohingya people in Arakan.The following quotes written in Burmese illustrate the nature of the campaign It records the Rakhine reaction:

Kick out all Muslim Kalar [Rohingyas, South Asians/Indians] from Burma. If this doesn’t work, then kill them to death. It’s time for Arakan to unite with each other.
Don’t assume that I won’t sharpen my knife. I am ready to make it sharp for the sake of protecting our nation, religion and races against those Bengali cheaters.

There is no Kalar in Burmese national races. These bastards run into Burma during good time and also in time of starvation. Beggers, they should be kicked out but do not deserve national identity card [citizenship].

Why does BBC create problem like this? I cannot imagine why. Real Burman like myself cannot feel [accept] it. I feel like my [ethnic] relatives and siblings have been given away into the hands of Kalar. Whichever history we look at, Rohingyas are not among our ethnic siblings.

F@#$-ing Kalar, we will slap your face with shoes and cut your heads. Don’t criticize the god with little of what you know. We will set you on fire to death and turn the mosques into wholesales/retail pork markets…

The New Mandala adds: “The main messages of the campaign, therefore, are that there is no Rohingya in the Burmese history; the name Rohingya was “invented” as if it should have existed in time immemorial to be valid; Rohingyas are culturally and religiously different illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who are cheating the history to claim the land of Arakan; and Rohingyas (or Bangali-Muslim-Kalars) are threatening to take over Burma. The intense campaign against Rohingyas shows that minority people supposedly the victims of oppression are willing to enact oppression on another oppressed group.”The anxiety is so strong that the map and the article are taken to be giving away the country, its religion and nations to Rohingya. What is most noticeable in this campaign is not simply their rejection of Rohingya as an ethnic group of Burma, but their strong, public comments with a genocidal tendency.”(1)

A neutral reader would see most of them have no understanding of what is human rights. Human rights is understood here as being the rights of their own group only but not a reciprocal obligation to their fellow citizens belonging to other groups.

In denying the Rohingya existence in Arakan, a border land, these Rakhine ultra nationalists surprisingly fail to understand that there are also Rakhine people settled in Bangladesh as late as during the British period who are now Bangladeshi citizens.

In their anti Rohingya remarks above we see some people show signs of naive savages. Of course the tendency is historic for which Arakan was called the “Mogher Mulluk” (land of anarchy.) Thus, a valid question to ask: In the contemporary events in June 2012, who were the leaders that were organizing the vigilantes, helping the Rakhine police, and distributing imported arms from behind? Additionally, if the military backed Burmese government is not involved, ( it brands Rohingyas are foreigners) why can’t its deployed military men can’t stop the ongoing violence?

There is no doubt that in most cases of dealing with state sponsored genocide, the international community acts largely on political grounds. This is true even about the UN’s performance.in certain cases. However, it some UN organizations such as UNHCR, and some NGOs are the few places Rohingyas get assistance.

It seems that for the Rohingyas, in the land of anarchy, the 1942, 78, 92 still revisits them in the 2012′s and it will continue to revisit them unless the international community find the provocateurs that first organized few hundred people to kill some Burmese Muslim people traveling by bus. In the short term, it is also important to catch those who planned and executed the subsequent genocidal activities in Maungdou and in Akyab and take them to the International Criminal Court. In the long term, to help Burma develop law and order, and mutual respect and tolerance among citizens, it is necessary to help Burma change its military imposed age old xenophobic education system tailored to rule the country through divide and rule policy. (3)

It is true, something is truly wrong in Burma and in the contemporary crisis, the UN should closely monitor the developments in Arakan. As for the Rohingyas in particular, relying on the military backed government for protection is as if trusting the crocodile to babysit the Rohingya chicks. If Burma has a future against its over half a century of ethnic problem, truly, it has to be only through Aung San Sui Kyi’s democratic reforms and “the lady” they call her has to deal with every Burmese people as if like a mother to her children, for, the military government has sufficiently spoiled some at the cost of others sufferings.(4)

Endnotes
(1) The New Mandala, “BBC under fire on Rohingyas, “http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/11/03/bbc-under-fire-on-rohingyas/; RACISM TO ROHINGYA IN BURMA AYE CHAN’S “ENCLAVE” WITH “INFLUX VIRUSES” REVISITED,Link:http://danyawadi.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/racism-to-rohingya-in-burma-aye-chans-enclave-with-influx-viruses-revisited/
(2) The New Mandala, “BBC under fire on Rohingyas,”http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/11/03/bbc-under-fire-on-rohingyas/
(3)Tell Me, What is Rohingya Genocide in Burma? http://burmadigest.info/2012/01/18/tell-me-what-is-rohingya-genocide-in-burma/,
(4) Abid Bahar, Burma’s Missing Dits, the Emerging face of Genocide. 2010.

Statement of ARNO on the 65th Anniversary of the Burma Union Day

Source :http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=07e02c593955e68abe986f517&id=289c0fe597      


                        
                                Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)

ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
ARAKAN
(12 February 2012)

Statement of ARNO on the 65^th Anniversary of the Burma Union Day

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Union Day Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) states as follows:
 

1. 65 years ago, on February 12, 1947, the Panglong Agreement was signed between Gen. Aung San and leaders of the several ethnic groups in Panglong, Shan State. It was an epoch-making event in the history of Burma. The national leaders of both the Burman majority and ethnic nationalities of Burma committed themselves, for the first time, to achieve the country’s national sovereignty through the pure spirit of national unity, equality and fraternity. The history of Burma would have developed differently if there was no Panglong Agreement.
2. Although this Agreement or Union Treaty was based on the agreed upon principles of unity in diversity, the true spirit of the Panglong or Union Day has never been realized since independence on January 4, 1948.
3. The Constitution of 1947 failed to guarantee federal democracy, equal rights, autonomy and self-determination of the ethnic nationalities, causing resentment and civil war continuing till today.
4. To add salt to the injury, Gen. Ne Win seized the power in 1962 and ended the Union Treaty and destroyed all vestiges of democratic structures while promoting the assimilation policy and military supremacy.
5. We cautiously welcome the recent changes made by the civilianized military government of U Thein Sein, such as release of substantial number of political prisoners, cease fires, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s participation in next April bye-elections. But it is yet to be seen how far the government is sincere.
6. However, the attitude of the U Thei Sein government towards Rohingyas is not changed yet. Persecution against them is callous and greater than before. The so-called Nasaka border security forces are licensed to tyrannise the Rohingya people round the clock.
7. It is high time to revitalize and translate the true spirit of Panglong, through all-inclusive genuine political tripartite dialogue for an acceptable national accord in order to establish a blissful and well-built Union of Burma.
8. The Rohingya who rank among the world’s most persecuted and forgotten people must be allowed to be a part of the country’s democratic and political process; and their citizenship rights and ethnic rights have to be guaranteed in the family of the Union of Burma.
   
   
   For more information, please contact:
   Nurul Islam           +44-7947854652
   Aman Ullah           +880-1558486910 
    

Briefing on the Situation in Arakan, Burma (Myanmar)

By Burmese Rohingya Orguk
Dear All,

Briefing on the Situation in Arakan, Burma (Myanmar)

8th June 2012 (Friday)


After Friday congregation, at about 2 pm. while a group of Muslims were trying to join a payer at Kayandan Islamic propagation centre (Tabligh Centre) for those 10 Muslims who were murdered by Rakhine extremists at Taunggup on 3 June 2011, the security forces tried to stop them and then started firing at the crowd killing at least two people and injuring many others.

At 2:30 p.m. two young Rohingyas who were returning home after Friday prayer from Maungdaw Central Mosque were seriously beaten by police. One of them whose hand was broken was released after sometime while the other who received head injury was still in police custody. His condition is still unknown.

9th June 2012 (Saturday)

Armed security forces with Rakhine extremist equipped with lethal arms were roaming Maungdaw towns and surrounding villages. This morning 4 Rohingyas were carried away from Fayazi village of Maungdaw. Their whereabouts is known.

According to a report, “Nasaka security forces and police are the killers. The Rakhine extremists joined them and reining hell on Rohingya. Because of the curfew no one dares to go out, and at the absence of witness Rakhine extremists set fire on houses, village after village. If anyone comes out from the fire, he/she gets a bullet or two or more. No witness, no proof. Natala villagers and Rakhine extremists have been supplied guns as well, but no one may prove it. In the mean time, racist monks are busy with media supplying fabricated news. These tragic events have been well planned in advance.”

At midnight (8/6/12) the Hlun Htein forces from Ngakura village accompanied by the extremists from the Rakhine village of San Oo Rwa (Hatipra) attacked the Rohingya villagers of the same village killing one person injuring 3 others. The dead body was carried away by the killers.

Last night groups of armed forces with Buddhist Rakhine extremists went to the Rohingya villages. They opened fire to the Muslim houses. When the inmates left their homes the Rakhine extremists set on fire. Many houses in several villagers have been reported burnt into ashes. Many people were killed and several others injured. The villages of Hatalia, Sommonia, Razarbil, Kayandan and San Oo are among those which were attacked.

Since yesterday the Buddhist monks and Rakhine extremists escorted by security forces were announcing ‘War on Kalas, (war on Rohingyas) along the street of Maungdaw. This message was spread like a wild fire all over Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.

Many security forces dressed in civil clothes but with arms are firing the Rohingyas.

An estimated 100 Rohingyas were killed. As dead bodies were not handed over to the relatives or villagers. Exact number of death could not be confirmed. Some estimate that the number of death could exceed 200 Rohingyas.

Hundreds of injured Rohingyas are lack of treatment. Thousands of people were deprived of food and water as Police, military, and Hlon Htin block them.

At about 12: 25 P.M. Deputy Home Minister accompanied by U Aung Zaw Win (USDP- MP) arrived at Maungdaw. They are reportedly discussing with local leaders on the situation. The details of the discussion are still not known.

10th June (Sunday )

00.30am-Tensions increased in Arakan according to some sources.

00:35am - Buthidaung Township (16 mile from Maungdaw) : Half an hour ago two boatloads of Rakhine were brought in to the town of Buthidaung from other places under the programme of the authorities.

01:-00 am- In Sittwe, Rakhine in Islamic attire wearing caps were seen roaming in the streets of Akyab trying to pretend Muslims. The following racist Medias are engaged in anti-Rohingya propaganda.

01:30 am - The Akyab Airport Mosque is being burnt .It has been reported that the riot have been supervised by Aung Myat Kyaw an MP at State Parliament. It is reported that the house of one Mohammed Hussein was killed and his house was burnt down. For this destruction, Aung Myat Kyaw is using Aung Tun Sein (Olympic group) and Pho Sein(Danyawadi group) .Another source reported that a mosque in Magyi Myaing Village (1mile from Sittwe Airport) at quarter8 was also destroyed.

Nur Begum from Myi Gyi Myaing village Sittwe was chopped and packed in a Jute bag at Mayu Road. The dead body was said to have been hidden by the police.

03:00 am- Some Rohingya youths were carried away by NaSaKa Border Security Forces. The number of youths was unknown. At least 70 Rohingyas were killed from Myothugyi village (Kaindapara) alone. A total of about 300 Rohingyas were believed to have been killed in the Maungdaw township. It is very hard to ascertain the exact figures as the dead bodies have not been handed over to their relatives or villagers yet.

4:00am- Harzamya village from Sittwe was burnt- 13 Rohingyas were shot dead by Police and Paramilitary Forces. 4 injured. Reliable sources said dead bodies were collected and buried.

9:00am- Government ordered to leave all the NGOs from Northern Arakan State (confirmed).

09:15 am- Police Officer Than Htin killed innocent one Rohingya girl (Ramzaan- 12yrs ) Rohingya boy (Name –Abdu Rahaman-10yrs ) and her brother injured. Dead body was taken by Paramilitary Forces.

09:30am- Bu May village (Wayalis) ,Sittwe Township is burning till now.

12:00 - Set fire Zay Haung Mawleik Village (which was know as Rohingya Para) .about 40 houses burnt

12:30 - Set fire all Rohingya's house Yanpyay Township ( Rohingyas are like 5to 10% there)

12:55 - Narzee Village set fire (1 mile from Sittwe Airport ) and Burning now.

13:00- Some sources saying that government announced Marchell Law in Sittwe (unconfirmed)

14:00- Curfew was imposed only for Rohingyas. Rakhine are burning Rohingya’s houses.

16 :00-Rakhines came the support of police to Aung Min Ga Lar Quarter (where I grown up ) Sittwe and brought petrol with them. My source told me doesn’t know what time they will set fire. The situation is very worrying.

17:00- Someone told me from Maungdaw We would like to appeal international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas as many Rohingyas are direly in need of food besides full security which can be given by International Community.

17:45- Many dead bodies (Estimated about 20-25 ) were seen in Pai Thay Ywa Village (0.5 mile to Sittwe Market) while people jumped to the sea when Rakhine were killing with co operation of Police.

17:55 -There are about 3 trucks of dead bodies were carried to Maungdaw Quarter to bury in Buddhist Cemetery. 3 trucks were fully escorted.

18:20- There are a few hundreds of Rakhine with knives at the mountain of Southside of Maungdaw .Our sources said that Rakhine prepared to kill many Rohingyas tonight with the help of Police and Military. It is estimated about 300 killed only in Maungdaw Township.

100 Rohingyas killed and 500 wounded in Maungdaw

100 Rohingyas killed and 500 wounded in Maungdaw

Saturday, 09 June 2012 19:04

Maungdaw, Arakan State:  An estimated 100 Rohingyas were killed and nearly 500 wounded by Rakhine racists and security personnel since yesterday, according to an elder who collect the information about missing Rohingya and wounded in Maungdaw.

Mohamed Noor , the victim  who was killed by Rrakhine racists  and security personnel

“Two young Rohingya – Kurban Ali and Amaran- were killed by riot police while they processed peaceful demonstration yesterday noon. “

“In the evening two men were wounded near the Naypaydaw junction and on old women was killed by the settlers( Natala).”

Yesterday night, 10 Rohingyas were killed and 15 wounded in the accident of Ward number 5 where Rakhine racists and security personnel set on the fire the Rohingya houses.

Recently the collection lists of dead bodies and wounded persons in different areas of villages in Maungdaw where the Rakhine racists and security personnel killed: 3 Rohingya died and wounded 5 in Myothugyi village; Sawmawna village demolished Mosque 6 died and 6 wounded; 7 died and 2 wounded in Loundon; 3 killed by army in Bagonna village; 3 wounded in Padinn and etc.

An army truck was crossing Du Cheyradan village where 2 Rohingya were shot dead by army when they were sitting in a shop on the road side and then the villagers informed to the nearest Nasaka outpost. The Nasaka told  the villagers to bring the family lists of the dead persons from the village. After seeing the family lists, the Nasaka gave permission to bury the dead bodies in the village, according to a villager.

Most of the dead bodies of Rohingya who were killed by Rakhine racists and security personnel, were kept by the security personnel and nobody known where about it, said a local from Maungdaw.

A house which was set on fire by security and Rakhine racists

The dead bodies of Rohingya are hiding in the different places of Maungdaw but, Rakhine racists and security personnel move the dead bodies by pull carts from Yoathet to other place at night today.

The security personnel and Rakhine racists are rounding together near the Seetehla of Myoma Kkayoungdan village to set on fire the village, said a Rohingya who see the crowed person near the village.

Besides, the army personnel ordered the shopkeepers of Alaythan Kyaw market today to leave the area as the army needs to set up their camp.

Over 3000 Rakhine racists are brought from Rathedaung to Inddin of Maungdaw south by the order of security personnel from Maungdaw to build up their capacity, an elder told to Kaladanpress. “We are very afraid for Rakhine attack as now heavy raining is going on in Maungdaw.”

Similarly, in Buthidaung township, Rakhine racists are given training of the defense in Nyoung Chang monastery  by security personnel who were brought from other side of  Arakan State.

Source Kaladan News

Clash of GIGS

Ratan Barua, A simple Person, This is the 2nd time my close interaction with a Monk. Paul was the real monk in my life. My English language class just to improve my English Writing and Speaking. I was student one of 90% kids goes those school in Bangladesh. I was drop out coz I hate literature. Spicily Bangla & English too. My real interest was fly high as an astronaut.

Now I believe I can hyper dive from level 1 to 14. The 14th is Alpha level which is infinity. Some coordinate I have to remove. My axis coordinating by #ALLAH(GOD). Coz he driving the path into so many different way. I believe any time I can be dust like SUPERNOVA.Coz  I was made by Dust.

Next 36 class of Professor Hasan will be interesting.And also my course mate Ratan Barua.

This world is same football ground. We 12 type of people running in old ground.

Clash of GIGS.