Nasaka seizes firewood from villages in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka), seized timbers and firewood from villagers without giving any prior warning in Maungdaw Township on December 29, said a local elder preferring not to be named. 

“A group of Nasaka personnel from Nasaka Headquarters of Kawar Bill (Kyigan Pyin), Maungdaw Township went to the villages: -- Kawar Bill, Maung Nama, Butkurgonenah village tract (Kaliza Banga  village and Habibe village),Aytahliya (Italia) and Zambonia -- without giving any notice to the villagers, and were taking away---timbers, logs, timber planks and even firewood from every house which ever  they found on December 29,at about 8:00pm.”

“The Nasaka personnel seized huge planks and logs, worth kyat 5.7 million from present village Chairman Zaw Kawriya (25) of Kawar Bill village Tract who had taken permission from the forest department and Township Administration officer for cutting wood from the forest with monthly payment of bribe.”

The operation was completed after sun set. Some of the family members did not able to cook their meals on that day for the scarcity of firewood. All the firewood had been brought to the Nasaka Headquarters, said a school teacher from the locality.

“All the villagers whose timbers and firewood were seized called to the Nasaka headquarters on January 4 . Some of the villagers went there for hearing the verdict of headquarters, but they were returned home without any hearing as all the villagers did not go to the Headquarters. The villagers will be called in next week, said another local elder who went to Nasaka Headquarter.

A businessman said, “Suddenly, why does the Nasaka seize timbers and firewood from the villagers? It is unpredictable.” 

Poor villagers who have no jobs get permission from forest department by paying Kyat 100 per head for cutting only firewood. It is not easy to get permission to cut logs, plunks and other hard wood. Occasionally, someone will get permission for special consideration, the villager elder more added. 

“Nasaka always creates difficult life for Rohingya villagers.  If they are able to do so, their ranks and files will be promoted and will get rewards from concerned higher authority.”