Creating plan to extort money from villagers in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) Commander of Nasaka area No.6 of Maungdaw Township recently created a new plan to extort money from villagers of his area, said a trader from the locality preferring not to be named.

“The deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some of villagers today in the morning who have built houses or shops within Nasaka area before 16 years ago after getting permission from concerned local Nasaka area.”

“After their arrival at the camp, the Commander asked the villagers to give money who did not require permission from Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO).”

According to villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at that time. They only need permission from local Nasaka officer. So, they have no authorized paper from TPDC officer. But, at present, the local Nasaka officer demands money from the villagers from those who have no document of TPDC Chairman.

A village elder said, “It is a creation to extort money by the Nasaka officer. It is a kind of cheating to the villagers by using of power and their positions.”

Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking, how they will get money from the local Rohingya villagers by making new plans or using power, implicating false and fabricated cases against the villagers.”

They have no fear from higher authorities as they let them to do anything against the Rohingya community. They (higher authorities) do not take any action against the culprits, said a local teacher referring not to be named.

“The local Nasaka officer demands Kyat 100,000 from a shop and Kyat 200,000 to 300,000 from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in that Nasaka area No.6, and at least over 50 houses and shops had been built in a village. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment.”