Maungdaw, Arakan State: A village administration office staff forced villagers to pay 200 kyat for a photocopy of family list, according to a village administration office member from Maungdaw.
“One photocopy cost only 30 kyats in Maungdaw, but collecting 200 kyats for one. Shwezarr is only one mile far awayfrom main Town”
“Ms.Nay Myo Than, the clerk , Shwe Zarr village tract is collecting money from villagers since the Burma border security force (Nasaka) and Immigration separately collect family lists and group photos of Rohingya villagers from Shwezarr village tract.”
She was taking all the family list after Nasaka and Immigration checked and took the photograph and told the villagers that she need the population list of village, said a school teacher from Shwezarr.
“If need to collect the population list, can able to work in the place where the other authority were doing. But, she refused to worked and said need 200 kyats for photocopy.”
“We offered to work with her to help the list which she need and told her it need the villagers in the night for Nasaka checking or authority check anytime,” said a group of student from the village.
“She doesn’t want the list, but need money from Rohingya community.”
The Nasaka and immigration checking the family list and photographing is same but collecting money are not same even one Nasaka area. It is only making to extort money and checking how many the authority reduced Rohingya population from northern Arakan, said a politician from Maungdaw.
“In Rohingya traditional, bride will be transfer to her husband family resident, which the authority had already given the marriage permission; it means that the authority had permitted to marry and able to stay in her husband’s house. Why the couple had to pay money to authority to transfer the wife or husband to stay freely in a place for their future life?”
“It is just made a cause to extort the money from this oppress community “Rohingya” only not for other ethnic group
Friday, 6 January 2012
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.”
“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.”
Villagers cheated by border security force in Maungdaw
Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) summoned seven villagers to their camp yesterday because of renovation of their houses and building new houses. The villagers are cheated by the border security force (Nasaka) though they had already purchased permission by paying money, said a local elder.
“The summoned villagers are identified as--- Ms Zamila Khatun (35), wife of Shobbir Ahmed, Moulvi Fazal Karim (60 ), Jubair ( Nasaka collaborator), Aman Ullah ( 20), son of Siradil Islam, Esuf (25), son of Mohamed Salam Mohamed Sayed (35) and Ms Fatema Khatun (35), wife of Shuna Ali, hailed from Maung Nama village of Maungdaw Township.”
The current village Chairman of Maung Nama village tract Dil Mohamed, Nasaka collaborator Jubair and the Commander of Aung Mingala Nasaka camp jointly called them to the Nasaka camp to extort money again from the above mentioned villagers though they had already paid money for permission to build houses/shops or renovated, said a local trader preferring not to be named.
Ms Zamila paid Kyat 500,000 to Aung Mingla Nasaka Commander, Jubair (Nasaka collaborator) and village Chairman Deen Mohamed in August 2011 for giving permission to build her house. But, they did not inform to the Township Administration officer. It is necessary to get permission from Township officer. It was not the fault of Ms Zamila, said another Businessman from the locality.
“Moulvi Fazal Karim is the father-in-law of Jubair (Nasaka collaborator), so he did not take any permission to build his house from the concerned authority. And also Jubair (notorious Nasaka collaborator) built a shop using his power.”
“Aman Ullah paid Kyat 250,000 for permission to build his house to the gang of three and Mohamed Sayed renovate his shop since 1997, but he was accused that he has renovated recently. Ms Fatema Khatun also paid Kyat 500,000 for building her house to the said gang.”
Another villager Yousuf paid Kyat 600,000 to the gang of three for permission of house building. Later this was informed to the officer of Sarapa (Military Intelligence) by them, but the Sarapa officer referred the case to the Nasaka camp after interrogation. He had to pay Kyat 2.5 million at the Nasaka camp again. Before paying money, the victim was forced to submit an application to the Nasaka camp that he did not take any permission before building his house, and also to admit that was his mistake, said a relative of the victim.
“Nasaka using power cheated the villagers by this way or that way and extorted money. But nobody came to straight forwards to rescue them. The above villagers will pay money to the Nasaka again; otherwise, they will be punished.”
“Rohingyas are not allowed to build or renovate any structure including house, mosque, Madrasa, even a cow shed in northern Arakan without permission.”
“However, the villagers built or renovated their houses and other structures by taking permission from the authority concerned. They have to pay huge money for getting permission.”
“Nasaka always makes plans to extort money from villagers and how to make them to engage in trouble continuously,” said a local youth.
“The summoned villagers are identified as--- Ms Zamila Khatun (35), wife of Shobbir Ahmed, Moulvi Fazal Karim (60 ), Jubair ( Nasaka collaborator), Aman Ullah ( 20), son of Siradil Islam, Esuf (25), son of Mohamed Salam Mohamed Sayed (35) and Ms Fatema Khatun (35), wife of Shuna Ali, hailed from Maung Nama village of Maungdaw Township.”
The current village Chairman of Maung Nama village tract Dil Mohamed, Nasaka collaborator Jubair and the Commander of Aung Mingala Nasaka camp jointly called them to the Nasaka camp to extort money again from the above mentioned villagers though they had already paid money for permission to build houses/shops or renovated, said a local trader preferring not to be named.
Ms Zamila paid Kyat 500,000 to Aung Mingla Nasaka Commander, Jubair (Nasaka collaborator) and village Chairman Deen Mohamed in August 2011 for giving permission to build her house. But, they did not inform to the Township Administration officer. It is necessary to get permission from Township officer. It was not the fault of Ms Zamila, said another Businessman from the locality.
“Moulvi Fazal Karim is the father-in-law of Jubair (Nasaka collaborator), so he did not take any permission to build his house from the concerned authority. And also Jubair (notorious Nasaka collaborator) built a shop using his power.”
“Aman Ullah paid Kyat 250,000 for permission to build his house to the gang of three and Mohamed Sayed renovate his shop since 1997, but he was accused that he has renovated recently. Ms Fatema Khatun also paid Kyat 500,000 for building her house to the said gang.”
Another villager Yousuf paid Kyat 600,000 to the gang of three for permission of house building. Later this was informed to the officer of Sarapa (Military Intelligence) by them, but the Sarapa officer referred the case to the Nasaka camp after interrogation. He had to pay Kyat 2.5 million at the Nasaka camp again. Before paying money, the victim was forced to submit an application to the Nasaka camp that he did not take any permission before building his house, and also to admit that was his mistake, said a relative of the victim.
“Nasaka using power cheated the villagers by this way or that way and extorted money. But nobody came to straight forwards to rescue them. The above villagers will pay money to the Nasaka again; otherwise, they will be punished.”
“Rohingyas are not allowed to build or renovate any structure including house, mosque, Madrasa, even a cow shed in northern Arakan without permission.”
“However, the villagers built or renovated their houses and other structures by taking permission from the authority concerned. They have to pay huge money for getting permission.”
“Nasaka always makes plans to extort money from villagers and how to make them to engage in trouble continuously,” said a local youth.
Rohingya Representatives meet British Foreign Secretary
Chittagong, Bangladesh: Rohingya with other – Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah and Mon - ethnic groups’ representatives met British Foreign Secretary William Hague at the residence of the British ambassador in Rangoon yesterday at 5pm- 6pm, according to a source from Rangoon and BBC Burmese.
“Abu Taher highlighted the situation on Rohingya people of Arakan who are facing recently on – force labors, extortion, health, education, movement restriction, marriage restriction, religious persecution, unprecedented taxation, arbitrarily arrest and land confiscation- with recent report and appeal letter of NDPD to Burmese government which mention to find a solution about Rohingya issue of Arakan,” according to a Rohingya elite from Rangoon.
Abu Taher is Central Executive member, Head of Political Bureau and Research and development. He won from People’s Parliament, Buthidaung Township in 2010 election. But, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) forcedly denounced his victor, according to NDPD press released and case file against Shwe Maung of USDP.
NDPD complained to Township Election Commission, the votes were recounted by the Commission where Abu Taher (NDPD) got 56,882 votes and Shwe Maung (USDP) got 53,702 votes, according to election watch in Buthidaung report.
Master Yunus is CEC of NDPHR – 4 seats winner of 1990 general election from Maungdaw and Buthidaung - mentioned about Rohingya citizenship rights – the historical facts - in Burma which still the Burmese government not clearly mention on it.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday on an official visit to Burma to observe the latest development of the country, according to official sources. “It is the first visit by a British foreign secretary to Myanmar since 1955.”
"I am visiting the country to encourage the Burmese government to continue on its path of reform, and to gauge what more Britain can do to support this process,” according to British Foreign & Commonwealth website.
"Further steps are needed that will have a lasting impact on human rights and political freedom in Burma. In particular, we hope to see the release of all remaining political prisoners, free and fair by-elections, and humanitarian access to people in conflict areas, and credible steps towards national reconciliation."
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) and Rohingya people would like to express our gratitude tothe British Foreign Secretary for his meeting with ethnic representative groups, including Rohingyas, during his visit to Burma. We are very delighted to see his encouragement to U Thein Sein regime to bring genuine change, long-lasting peace, freedom and protection of human rights for all the people of Burma, according to Maung Tun Khin, the president, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK).
The ‘systematic racism’ against Rohingya has been institutionalized; and religious persecution against non-Buddhist people, especially Muslims and Christians, has increased. The credibility of U Thein Sein regime’s promise of reform is now seriously questioned. However, we are in high spirit to see that the Foreign Secretary has cautiously welcomed the promises of political reform in Burma saying ‘the military junta will be judged by its actions rather than its words’, the BROUK statement said.
British Foreign Minister with Rohingya and other ethnic representatives
“The Rohingya political party leaders from the 1990 general election and the 2010 general election who attended the meeting are; - Master Yunus from National Democratic Party for Human Rights(NDPHR) and Abu Taher from National Democratic party for Development (NDPD).”“Abu Taher highlighted the situation on Rohingya people of Arakan who are facing recently on – force labors, extortion, health, education, movement restriction, marriage restriction, religious persecution, unprecedented taxation, arbitrarily arrest and land confiscation- with recent report and appeal letter of NDPD to Burmese government which mention to find a solution about Rohingya issue of Arakan,” according to a Rohingya elite from Rangoon.
Abu Taher is Central Executive member, Head of Political Bureau and Research and development. He won from People’s Parliament, Buthidaung Township in 2010 election. But, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) forcedly denounced his victor, according to NDPD press released and case file against Shwe Maung of USDP.
NDPD complained to Township Election Commission, the votes were recounted by the Commission where Abu Taher (NDPD) got 56,882 votes and Shwe Maung (USDP) got 53,702 votes, according to election watch in Buthidaung report.
Master Yunus is CEC of NDPHR – 4 seats winner of 1990 general election from Maungdaw and Buthidaung - mentioned about Rohingya citizenship rights – the historical facts - in Burma which still the Burmese government not clearly mention on it.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday on an official visit to Burma to observe the latest development of the country, according to official sources. “It is the first visit by a British foreign secretary to Myanmar since 1955.”
British Foreign Minister with Rohingya and other ethnic representatives
“The visiting Burma was my first destination for 2012, to meet the President, senior ministers and ethnic minority leaders,” according to British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s statement in his face book."I am visiting the country to encourage the Burmese government to continue on its path of reform, and to gauge what more Britain can do to support this process,” according to British Foreign & Commonwealth website.
"Further steps are needed that will have a lasting impact on human rights and political freedom in Burma. In particular, we hope to see the release of all remaining political prisoners, free and fair by-elections, and humanitarian access to people in conflict areas, and credible steps towards national reconciliation."
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) and Rohingya people would like to express our gratitude tothe British Foreign Secretary for his meeting with ethnic representative groups, including Rohingyas, during his visit to Burma. We are very delighted to see his encouragement to U Thein Sein regime to bring genuine change, long-lasting peace, freedom and protection of human rights for all the people of Burma, according to Maung Tun Khin, the president, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK).
The ‘systematic racism’ against Rohingya has been institutionalized; and religious persecution against non-Buddhist people, especially Muslims and Christians, has increased. The credibility of U Thein Sein regime’s promise of reform is now seriously questioned. However, we are in high spirit to see that the Foreign Secretary has cautiously welcomed the promises of political reform in Burma saying ‘the military junta will be judged by its actions rather than its words’, the BROUK statement said.
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About Me
- The Voice Of Rohingya
- Maung daw, Arakan state, Myanmar (Burma)
- I am an independent man who voted to humanitarian aid.