Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh police arrested 24 boat-people including three traffickers (Dalal) on December 10, while going to Malaysia with a shaky engine boat from Bay of Bengal near Shamlapur of Teknaf union, according to police official of Teknaf police station.
“On information, at about 3:30 am, a group of police led by Sup-Inspector (SI) Mashrul from Bahar Sara Shamlapur police station went to the north Shil Khali village under Teknaf upazila and arrested the 19-boat people including three agents.”
“The arrested are identified as Jakir Ahmed (55), Imam Hussain (22), Mofiz Alam (45), Mohamed Yasin (35), Shoffi Alam (20), Hussain Ahmed (44), Feroz Ahmed (19), Forid Alam (35), Abdullah (20), Mohamed Hussain (22), Habi Bullah (25), Abdu Malek (40), Shamshuddin (40), Osiur Rahaman (34), Jahed Hussain (20) and Sayedullah (45).”
In similar way, on that day, at about 4:00 am, another group of police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Habib of Ukhiya police station arrested five Rohingyas from Siyankhali village while going to Malaysia with risky boat. They are identified as Zahed Hussain (20), Korim Ullah (21), Anam Ullah (19), Mohamed Esuf (24), and Lalu (20). They all belong to Maungdaw South, said a police aide from Ukhiya police station.
The police of Shamlapur also arrested three agents--- Boshir Ahmed (42), son of Shunali, Dulu Hussain (55), son of Sultan Ahmed, hailed from Bazar Para of Shapuri Dip and Ershdur Rahman (33), source said from police station.
Boat-people from Arakan State came to Bangladesh from various points of Burma- Bangladesh border, mainly from Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung townships and Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State, though there were many people died recently after sinking boat in the sea while going to Malaysia. Besides, the concerned authorities of Bangladesh also arrested many boat-people, agents and seized engine boats. But, Rohingya people are eager to go to Malaysia taking with perilous voyage through Bangladesh, said an elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.
“What are the reasons, the Rohing people want to go to Malaysia leaving their motherland with risky journey,” asked a trader from Maungdaw Town.
Among the boat-people, most of them are Rohingya community and some are Bangladeshis. Most of the boat-people are under the age of 20 to 25. The names of the boat-people have been cut off from their family lists after fleeing their homes. As a result, they are not allowed to enter again their native place. So, they become stateless people whether they are able to go to Malaysia or not, said a parent of one of the boat-people preferring not to be named.
Friday 16 December 2011
More difficult for female Rohingya to travel in Bangladesh
Teknaf, Bangladesh: The female Rohingya communities from northern Arakan who travel for medical treatment, are facing more difficult in Bangladesh than Burma, said a female patient from Maungdaw.
“We are checking whole body including female private area by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) female staff while entering to Bangladesh entry point (Teknaf Land port) and Dum Dum Meah check post, for searching drug (Yaba) which come from Burma to Bangladesh).”
“The Burmese authority didn’t search like this, but the authority searches the female passengers, not private area. If the authority got information, they search everywhere they suspect.”
“Are all the Rohingya communities are drug smugglers, so the authority is going to check all the people who enter the entry point?”
The custom and Immigration officers are also collecting money from Rohingya community who enter into Bangladesh, it is fee or extortion, said a trader who always visit Bangladesh for his business.
“The officers are collecting 200 taka from a passenger while reporting and to get entry permit on their passport.”
While we are going back to our home land, the BGB female personnel again check as same as entry time. Why it is also for drug checking?, said the female patient from Maungdaw.
“BGB female personnel took secretly Taka 10,000 from a female Rohingya from Maungdaw while they were checking when the female didn’t find her money; the passengers asked the BGB personnel to return the money. Then the BGB personnel return the money. It is happen on December 2 at the evening,” said a female passenger from Maungdaw.
“The checking was only for harassment of the Rohingya community who had come to Bangladesh for medical treatment where they are not getting any medical facility in their home land and are not able to travel to Akyab for restriction of movement where they can get the medical facility. It is the life of Rohingya in northern Arakan – no education, no medical, no job, can’t able to marriage freely, no religious freedom, no permit to travel one place to another, force looting their foods grain and etc.”
“We are checking whole body including female private area by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) female staff while entering to Bangladesh entry point (Teknaf Land port) and Dum Dum Meah check post, for searching drug (Yaba) which come from Burma to Bangladesh).”
“The Burmese authority didn’t search like this, but the authority searches the female passengers, not private area. If the authority got information, they search everywhere they suspect.”
“Are all the Rohingya communities are drug smugglers, so the authority is going to check all the people who enter the entry point?”
The custom and Immigration officers are also collecting money from Rohingya community who enter into Bangladesh, it is fee or extortion, said a trader who always visit Bangladesh for his business.
“The officers are collecting 200 taka from a passenger while reporting and to get entry permit on their passport.”
While we are going back to our home land, the BGB female personnel again check as same as entry time. Why it is also for drug checking?, said the female patient from Maungdaw.
“BGB female personnel took secretly Taka 10,000 from a female Rohingya from Maungdaw while they were checking when the female didn’t find her money; the passengers asked the BGB personnel to return the money. Then the BGB personnel return the money. It is happen on December 2 at the evening,” said a female passenger from Maungdaw.
“The checking was only for harassment of the Rohingya community who had come to Bangladesh for medical treatment where they are not getting any medical facility in their home land and are not able to travel to Akyab for restriction of movement where they can get the medical facility. It is the life of Rohingya in northern Arakan – no education, no medical, no job, can’t able to marriage freely, no religious freedom, no permit to travel one place to another, force looting their foods grain and etc.”
Authorities loot paddy from Rohingya community in Maungdaw
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The authorities – Burmese border security force (Nasaka) and village administration officer - are looting paddy from Rohingya community from Nasaka area number 6, since December 10, said a school teacher from Maungdaw.
“The Nasaka personnel with Kawlim Ullah – the village administration officer of Kyaukpyinsek (Nari Bil)- went to the village where they (Nasaka and village officer) forcefully enter Rohingya home and took the paddy from granary without informing the owner.”
“The Nasaka personnel and village officer took 7-10 tins of paddy from granary where the Rohingya community stocked for their yearly rations.” (One tin is equal to 1.25 Bushel / 40.9136 liters)
The concerned authorities are only going to the residents who had someone in the abroad – Malaysia and Middle East countries- only, according to an elder from Nari Bil village.
“It start now in our village, may be it will continuous to other villages soon if the Nasaka and villager officer seen it is profitable for them. If nobody oppose for it.”
“The village administration officer ordered to his official staff to break the granary and took the paddy which amount they want.”
It is first time happening in Maungdaw, where the Government officers are looting public foods grain from the yearly foods stock which will give Rohingya community starvation in the future, said a politician from Maungdaw.
“After election, the civilian government announced that the country is moving towards the democracy and freedom of speech, but, in northern Arakan, where is democracy and freedom of speech. If anyone oppose the authority activates against the Rohingya community, he/she will be punished by the authority. So, the Rohingya become dumb in their home land for authority activates.”
“The Nasaka personnel with Kawlim Ullah – the village administration officer of Kyaukpyinsek (Nari Bil)- went to the village where they (Nasaka and village officer) forcefully enter Rohingya home and took the paddy from granary without informing the owner.”
“The Nasaka personnel and village officer took 7-10 tins of paddy from granary where the Rohingya community stocked for their yearly rations.” (One tin is equal to 1.25 Bushel / 40.9136 liters)
The concerned authorities are only going to the residents who had someone in the abroad – Malaysia and Middle East countries- only, according to an elder from Nari Bil village.
“It start now in our village, may be it will continuous to other villages soon if the Nasaka and villager officer seen it is profitable for them. If nobody oppose for it.”
“The village administration officer ordered to his official staff to break the granary and took the paddy which amount they want.”
It is first time happening in Maungdaw, where the Government officers are looting public foods grain from the yearly foods stock which will give Rohingya community starvation in the future, said a politician from Maungdaw.
“After election, the civilian government announced that the country is moving towards the democracy and freedom of speech, but, in northern Arakan, where is democracy and freedom of speech. If anyone oppose the authority activates against the Rohingya community, he/she will be punished by the authority. So, the Rohingya become dumb in their home land for authority activates.”
Force collect money from vehicles for human trafficking posters
Maungdaw, Arakan State: Authorities from Buthidaung are collecting money from vehicles after sticking human trafficking posters on vehicles, said an owner of vehicles from Buthidaung.
“The authorities – Township administration office and traffic police department- of Buthidaung forced the owners/ drivers to pay money to them after sticking poster on the vehicles.”
“The traffic police department collected 3000 kyat per vehicles; 2000 kyat for Township administration office and one thousand for traffic police department.”
The posters are for advertising of human trafficking which show the risk and getting problem in their life, said a school teacher from Buthidaung.
“The posters are distributed by high authority to advertise public awareness about human trafficking.”
“But, the authorities are collecting money from all vehicles which are plying Maungdaw and Buthidaung. It also collects money from vehicles which are plying inside Buthidaung municipal areas.”
“The authorities – Township administration office and traffic police department- of Buthidaung forced the owners/ drivers to pay money to them after sticking poster on the vehicles.”
“The traffic police department collected 3000 kyat per vehicles; 2000 kyat for Township administration office and one thousand for traffic police department.”
The posters are for advertising of human trafficking which show the risk and getting problem in their life, said a school teacher from Buthidaung.
“The posters are distributed by high authority to advertise public awareness about human trafficking.”
“But, the authorities are collecting money from all vehicles which are plying Maungdaw and Buthidaung. It also collects money from vehicles which are plying inside Buthidaung municipal areas.”
Boat full of boatpeople sinks in Bay of Bengal
Teknaf, Bangladesh: A Malaysia-bound trawler carrying some 110 boatpeople capsized near Shapuri Dip in the Bay of Bengal on December 14, in the early morning, said an elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.
However, all the passengers were rescued by fishing boats that were fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said Abbdu Rahim a survivor from Zaliya Para of Shapuri Dip. .
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Teknaf Police Station Mahbubul Haque said, "I have heard that a Malaysia-bound trawler has capsized. None has complained to me yet. We can't confirm the incident."
Survivors Mohammad Amin, Kala Meah and Tayub of Konna Para of Shapuri Dip said they were going to Malaysia with the help of local agents--- Firoz, Ismail, Sharif Hossain, Yunus, Dholu Hossain, Shabbir Hussain, Mohamed Alam, Abdul Hakim, Salim Ullah, Jaffar, Arof Ullah, and Salim.
“Three small boats from Shapuri Dip which can able to ferry 15 to 20 passengers per boat to a medium size engine boat which was anchored to the northern side of Shapuri Dip in the Bay of Bengal. After ferrying all the passengers to the said boat, it started along with 110 passengers to ferry again to another big vessel which was also anchored in the Bay of Bengal nearby Saint’s Martin Island. However, after a few moments, the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal because of over loading and entering water from the bottom of the boat. “
“When the passengers made hue and cry, nearby fishing boats rushed to the spot and rescued all of them. “
"There were Rohingyas and Bengalis among the passengers. So, we didn't know all of them," said a survivor.
Nevertheless, local people believe that about five passengers, may be died who were inside the boat, under deck (Folkha), but so far, local people did not find any dead body, said a local fisherman from Shapuri Dip.
Illegal and risky journey by engine boats to Thailand or Malaysia has been a common happening in the area for the last couple of years. People take the journey in winter when the sea remains calm. The route runs through the Bay of Bengal to Thailand. From there, somebody who is actively looking for employment is taken to Malaysia over land, said a local businessman from Teknaf.
“Over the years, many boats capsized killing passengers. The Indian and Thai coast guards arrested many of the fortune-seekers. The Rohingya ethnic people of Arakan, Burma intruded into Bangladesh territory due to alleged persecution of Burmese junta.”
According to our reporter from Shapuri Dip, an engine boat along with 56 passengers (boatpeople) went to Malaysia today night from Shapuri Dip. This boat was managed by Moulvi Mujib from Teknaf, Jaffar and Nur Alam from Shapuri Dip. The diver (Maji) of the boat is another Nur Alam from Burma.
The agents or brokers collected Kyat 30,000 before going to Malaysia or Thailand and after arriving at Malaysia the boat people have to pay Taka 70,000 per each, said a boat people who is survived.
However, all the passengers were rescued by fishing boats that were fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said Abbdu Rahim a survivor from Zaliya Para of Shapuri Dip. .
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Teknaf Police Station Mahbubul Haque said, "I have heard that a Malaysia-bound trawler has capsized. None has complained to me yet. We can't confirm the incident."
Survivors Mohammad Amin, Kala Meah and Tayub of Konna Para of Shapuri Dip said they were going to Malaysia with the help of local agents--- Firoz, Ismail, Sharif Hossain, Yunus, Dholu Hossain, Shabbir Hussain, Mohamed Alam, Abdul Hakim, Salim Ullah, Jaffar, Arof Ullah, and Salim.
“Three small boats from Shapuri Dip which can able to ferry 15 to 20 passengers per boat to a medium size engine boat which was anchored to the northern side of Shapuri Dip in the Bay of Bengal. After ferrying all the passengers to the said boat, it started along with 110 passengers to ferry again to another big vessel which was also anchored in the Bay of Bengal nearby Saint’s Martin Island. However, after a few moments, the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal because of over loading and entering water from the bottom of the boat. “
“When the passengers made hue and cry, nearby fishing boats rushed to the spot and rescued all of them. “
"There were Rohingyas and Bengalis among the passengers. So, we didn't know all of them," said a survivor.
Nevertheless, local people believe that about five passengers, may be died who were inside the boat, under deck (Folkha), but so far, local people did not find any dead body, said a local fisherman from Shapuri Dip.
Illegal and risky journey by engine boats to Thailand or Malaysia has been a common happening in the area for the last couple of years. People take the journey in winter when the sea remains calm. The route runs through the Bay of Bengal to Thailand. From there, somebody who is actively looking for employment is taken to Malaysia over land, said a local businessman from Teknaf.
“Over the years, many boats capsized killing passengers. The Indian and Thai coast guards arrested many of the fortune-seekers. The Rohingya ethnic people of Arakan, Burma intruded into Bangladesh territory due to alleged persecution of Burmese junta.”
According to our reporter from Shapuri Dip, an engine boat along with 56 passengers (boatpeople) went to Malaysia today night from Shapuri Dip. This boat was managed by Moulvi Mujib from Teknaf, Jaffar and Nur Alam from Shapuri Dip. The diver (Maji) of the boat is another Nur Alam from Burma.
The agents or brokers collected Kyat 30,000 before going to Malaysia or Thailand and after arriving at Malaysia the boat people have to pay Taka 70,000 per each, said a boat people who is survived.
Without judge hearing case in Maungdaw law court
Maungdaw, Arakan State: No judge presented while hearing the case in Maungdaw judge court recently, said a lawyer from Maungdaw.
“The judges come to the court when there is hearing, but not in the court room, sitting in their chamber in the court.”
“Natural in Burmese court and other countries, the lawyer of prosecute and defense lawyer are arguing for their case hearing in front of judge, but in Maungdaw law court the judges are not sitting while the case is hearing.”
“U Khin Zaw, the township judge and U Kyaw Than Sein, the assistant township judge are sitting in their chambers where they met with defendant and had given the judgments after getting money without sitting in the court room,” said a defendant who gave the money to judge for release.
“U Hla Myint, the owner of Maha Computer shop, is the collaborator of judges who organized and encourage the defendant to meet the judge for their trail.”
The people of Maungdaw are now facing very difficult to face their case in Maungdaw court within legal system, but the judges are not sitting in the court room and giving their judgment from their chamber after taking money from defendant. Where is the law and justice in Maungdaw, said a politician from Maungdaw.
“The judges come to the court when there is hearing, but not in the court room, sitting in their chamber in the court.”
“Natural in Burmese court and other countries, the lawyer of prosecute and defense lawyer are arguing for their case hearing in front of judge, but in Maungdaw law court the judges are not sitting while the case is hearing.”
“U Khin Zaw, the township judge and U Kyaw Than Sein, the assistant township judge are sitting in their chambers where they met with defendant and had given the judgments after getting money without sitting in the court room,” said a defendant who gave the money to judge for release.
“U Hla Myint, the owner of Maha Computer shop, is the collaborator of judges who organized and encourage the defendant to meet the judge for their trail.”
The people of Maungdaw are now facing very difficult to face their case in Maungdaw court within legal system, but the judges are not sitting in the court room and giving their judgment from their chamber after taking money from defendant. Where is the law and justice in Maungdaw, said a politician from Maungdaw.
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.
“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.
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- The Voice Of Rohingya
- Maung daw, Arakan state, Myanmar (Burma)
- I am an independent man who voted to humanitarian aid.