Villagers in Maungdaw area face extortion tactics

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma Border Security Force (Nasaka) Commander of Nasaka area No.6 in Maungdaw Township recently instituted a new plan to extort money from villagers in his area, according to an anonymous local trader.
“This morning, the deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some villagers who had built houses or shops within his command area 16 or more years ago, after getting permission from the local Nasaka officer.”
“After arriving at the camp, the Commander asked those villagers to give money to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO),” the trader said.
According to the villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at the time. They only needed permission from a local Nasaka officer. So, they had no authorized permissions papers from the TPDC officer. However, the current Nasaka area commander demanded money from any villagers who lacked such permission documents.
A village elder said, “This is a creation by the Nasaka officer to extort money. He is cheating the villagers by using his power and position.”
Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking about how to get money from local Rohingya villagers by making new schemes or using their power to concoct fabricated accusations against villagers.”
“Those officers have no fear from their superiors as they are given free rein against the Rohingya community. They [the higher authorities] do not take any action against the culprits,” said a local teacher who declined to be named.
“The local Nasaka officer demanded100,000 kyats from a shop and between 200,000 and 300,000 kyats from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in Nasaka area No.6, and each has at least 50 houses and shops. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment,” the teacher concluded.