Travel restriction bar to join university

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The travel restriction is barring Rohingya students to join universities foracademic year of 2012, according to a student who prepare to join the Akyab University from Maungdaw.

“I had applied to Maungdaw district immigration office for travel permit to join university with all necessary documents last week.”

“The application will send to Naypaydaw and need confirmation to issue,” said immigration officer.

“The last year, the office issue immediately after applying for travel permit, but this year the immigration office gives more bar to issue the permit,” said a parent of student who went to office to apply permit for his son.

“This year, the authority sent Major subject selection paper and invitation separately – one by post and another one to direct to concerned block/village administration officer. But, some students got invitation letters only and some got only Major subject selection papers.”

“Some of the students are waiting the missing paper where the immigration office need all document to issue the permit.”

U Zaw Htun, the education officer is collecting 1000 kyat for stamping and signature on undertaking paper where U Tha Hla Htun, the headmaster of state high school is collecting 2000 kyat for certificate of matriculation, said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“The students who applied for medical or other professionals course with qualification, did not get any appointment letters to join the university or information of disqualify. The universities are out of Arakan State.”

U Janhangir alias U Aung Myo Min, the member of the region and state parliament had asked in the Arakan state parliament session about the students travel who qualify for medical or other professionals out of Arakan and the parliament reply that it will be submit to Naypawdaw and recommendation from it.

U Zahidrul Rahaman alias U Htay Win, the member of National Parliament was stopped at Buthidaung jetty when he return to Rangoon by Immigration officer from Buthidaung for travel permit. Later he was allowed to travel to Rangoon, according to a trader from Buthidaung.