Hundreds of homes burned in renewed Burmese ethnic violence | Dean Nelson

A fire burns in the Pike Sake quarter in Kyout Phyu, Rakhine state, western Myanmar Photo: EPA

More than a thousand homes have been razed in renewed ethnic violence between Burma's Rakhine Buddhists and its Rohingya Muslim minority.

Curfews were enforced in two towns in Rakhine state in north-west Burma following new clashes just months after more than 80 people were killed in June.

Then, violence broke out following claims that a Buddhist woman was raped by three Rohingya Muslim men.

Rohingya leaders claim more than 600 of their people were killed, hundreds more remain missing and more than 80,000 fled their homes.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Assam in India and to Bangladesh where Buddhist temples have been attacked by Rohingya groups seeking revenge.

The continuing violence erupted as world leaders lauded the efforts of President Thein Sein and the country's Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to usher in new democratic reforms.

Since then, Aung San Suu Kyi has been criticised for ducking questions on the clashes although on Tuesday she voiced her concerns and said the absence of rule of law was to blame.

"Of course I am worried about the situation there. Actually, this situation can be expected. As I often said, there must be the rule of law to prevent this sort of problem. It cannot be sorted out overnight," she said.

The conflict however remains unsolved and three people have been killed since Sunday in clashes which saw more than 1000 homes burned to the ground. Curfews were imposed in Minbya and Mrauk Oo, but has spread to other towns.

According to Reuters, violence had yet to be contained in Myay Bone, where local sources blamed Rohingyas for the clashes. "The local Rohingyas prepared boats for escape. Just before escape, they started setting fires. Then the Arakans (local Rakhine people) chased them down, seized one of the Rohingyas who had started a fire and also burnt the Rohingyas' boats prepared for escape," the source said.

The Rohingya Muslims are believed to be one of the world's most persecuted groups. There are an estimated 800,000 living close to Burma's border with Bangladesh but neither state accepts them as their own.In Burma they are regarded as 'Bengali immigrants'.

News of Rohingya in Pauktaw , Mre Bon and Kaukphyu Tsp, Arakan ,Burma

24-10-2012, Pauktaw Township

About 100 Rohingyas of Quarter No.3, Pauktaw Township were trying to go Akyab (Sittwe) by four boats which have no engines. Mean while, strong Rakhine terrorist group with a big boat interrupted and captured Rohingya boats. Terrorists transferred all Rohingya children and women to their boat. And they killed all young and elder Rohingya men in the river inhumanly. 

Only one young boy escaped from this mass killing, who being examined by the military official of Quarter No.4 of Pauktaw. About life safety for the Rohingyas who were transferred to terrorists boat is unknown. 

24-10-2012, Kyauk Phyu Township 

Rohingya village, Paik Seik Ywa (Zaillya Fara) has been burning down by Rakhine terrorists since yesterday. About 2000 Rohingyas of that village went to the sea by 50 boats to escape their lives from the mass killing by Rakhines. But another 20 boats were burnt to ashes and more than 600 Rohingyas were under mass killing, who were waiting for tidal wave to run away with those boats. 

24-10-2012, Mre bon Township 

About 1500 Rohingyas of Mre Bon (Myay Bon) township have arrived to Akyab (Sittwe) by boats, today. There had five Rohingya quarters with about 600 homes and 4500 population. All Rohingya quarters were burnt down to ashes and many Rohingyas were killed. For the lack capability of media, the information about remaining Rohingyas is not available. 

Further, six villages of Minbya and two villages of Mrauk-U Townships have been burnt down since 21th October, 2012. About 4000 Rohingya houses and dozen of religious building were burnt down. 

Reported by : Nyi Nyi Aung

Rohingyas floating in the river as dead fish

On 24th October, 2012 (i.e. today), over three thousands Rohingyas, whose houses were burnt down to ashes, from Ywa Thit and Ywa Haung villages, Pauk Taw township, took refuge near a bank of a river nearby. Out of all, about two thousands fortunately got chance to load on seven engine boats, fifty five paddling boats and one sampan and headed to an unknown destination, where they hope they can escape from life-risk. When they were on the way, a group of Bengali Rakhine terrorists approached to these floating boats and by many means, these Bengali Rakhine terrorists forcibly made five boats and the very sampan loaded with helpless Rohingyas sunk in the water. Around one hundreds Rohingyas died after this inhuman action. Only one 13-years-old Rohingya teenager survived and could manage to get to another Rohingya-loaded boat. All the corpses have been floating on the water up to now (11:30pm of today). After that, the remaining Rohingyas on the boat discussed and decided to head to a village, May Yurr Kul, Pauk Taw Township. When they reached to the said village, they tried to load off from the boat and get on land. But, cruel Battalion (Hlun Tin) forces and military did not allow them to get on land. After failure to get on land, they all proceeded to Anaw Rhine village. Bad luck followed them that they were again not allowed to get on land. Upon several requests to let to meet a Rohingya, Haji U Mohammed Ullah, a village elder from the said village, five of these floating Rohingyas were allowed to get on land and now (reporting time) these five representatives from the floating Rohingyas are going to meet the said village elder.

The remaining Rohingyas around one thousand and three hundred, who have been stuck near the bank of the river since there were not enough number of boat available, were given final warning by the Bengali Rakhine Terrorists to flee from the river bank before 8:00am of tomorrow (25th October, 2012). In the warning, it was clearly said that they will be killed if they don’t following the final warning. Currently, military take security for them only up to the time of the final warning. None of these victims hopes to see the sunlight of tomorrow.

The information is collected from a villager of Anaw Rhine village.

Rohingya Youths,
Maungdaw

Rohingya Cleansing Continues in Arakan Under State Programme

Need for U.N. Peacekeeping Force more urgent than ever.

(YANGON, Myanmar) - While strongly condemning the renewed violence and carnage by the extremist Rakhine Buddhists against the Muslims or Rohingyas in Arakan, we jointly state as follows:

Since 21 October organized gangs of the Rakhine extremists headed by monks have burned down over 1000 houses, killed hundreds of Muslims and injured many more in the townships of Myinbya, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Kyaukpyu. These genocidal actions have been carried out with the backing of the police, army and security forces with intent to destroy the whole Muslim population of Arakan.

Systematic killings, rape of women and destruction have continued unabated while every single sign of Muslim or Islam is being erased from Arakan. On 23 October, at about 20:00 hours, while the Paikthay village was on blaze in Kyaukpyu Town, the fire fighters came to the spot with tank load of patrol in the guise of putting out the fire.

The state patronized Rakhine terrorists issued ultimatum to the Rohingyas or Muslims in Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon and Pauktaw and many other places to vacate their villages, houses and properties by October 25 or face violent attacks and forced expulsion.

The blocking of OIC to open its offices in Burma -- despite MoU signed between Burmese government and OIC -- is a clear indication of the Thein Sein government’s intention to carry on its ‘ethnic cleansing’ against the Muslim Rohingyas without outside knowledge. It is a great disappointment that the international community has staked so much on Burmese President Thein Sein’s reform process. When he proposed ethnic cleansing they stayed silent, and even when ethnic cleansing takes place they still stay silent, although the situation is crying for immediate.

Burmese Muslims Cancel Eid Festivities

Many of Burma’s three million Muslims will refrain from celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid Al-Adha on Friday in respect for their fellow Muslim Rohingyas who are suffering in Arakan State, according to the Rangoon-based Burmese [Myanmar] Muslim Association (BMA).

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Myo Latt, a senior BMA leader, said, “Our brothers and sisters are being murdered and their villages are being burned down in Arakan State. It is for this reason that we will not celebrate Eid.”

Eid Al-Adha is one of the two most celebrated festivals in the Muslim calendar. Also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, it commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (known to Christians and Jews as Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. It marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca known as the Hajj, and is celebrated with family meals, gifts to children, and acts of charity.

Myo Latt said that, usually, all members of the BMA gather for a grand dinner in Rangoon to mark the holy day, and that this is the first time in living memory that they have decided not to hold the event.

He said that those Muslims in states and cities outside Rangoon who still wanted to hold celebrations to mark Eid could do so.

According to a press release by the BMA on Tuesday, the government could not guarantee security for the Muslim festival, and this was the practical reason why celebrations would not be held.

However, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday afternoon, Hla Thein, who is also a Muslim community leader in Rangoon, said that the Burmese government had “changed its tune” yet again, and had instructed him that they would in fact provide security for Muslims in Rangoon on Friday.

Many mosques have been burnt down in restive Arakan State where sectarian clashes between the Muslim Rohingya community and Arakanese Buddhists have raged for some four months.

Muslims in areas as remote as Mandalay and Karen and Mon states have expressed fears over holding celebrations in their local communities this year.

“Five Muslim organizations [in Burma] got together to pen an open letter to the president requesting full protection for our brothers in Arakan State,” said Myo Latt. “But we have not as yet received a reply.”

The BMA’s announcement on Wednesday follows days of confusion after mixed messages were sent by local authorities in Rangoon over whether they would allow Eid celebrations to take place—albeit in private venues—and an order reportedly passed on by Chief Minister of Rangoon Myint Swe instructing Muslim communities to cancel all plans for Eid Al-Adha feasts and activities.

“He [Myint Swe] told us not to hold the festival because of a lack of security,” said Hla Thein.

Meanwhile, at least 200 houses were burned down on Wednesday morning and about 20 homes the night before in Arakan’s Kyaukpyu Township amid escalating violence that followed reports of the killing of one Arakanese Buddhist man and two Muslim women over the weekend.

One Kyaukpyu resident told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday morning: “All the houses that were burnt down this morning belonged to Muslims.” He added that the fires spread to some Arakanese Buddhist homes.

A resurgence in the violence reportedly broke out in western Arakan’s Minbyar Township and spread to Mrauk-U and Kyaukpyu by Wednesday night. According to Arakan State Attorney Gen. Hla Thein, the violence in Minbyar started when a Rohingya man fired his catapult at a Buddhist man. The State government has since imposed a curfew in Minbyar and Mrauk-U.

Burma's Rohingya face 'new wave of violence'

John Sparks reports on "disturbing allegations" from Burma suggesting that a major new wave of violence, killings and house burnings in the country's northwest Rakhine State is taking place.


Senior members of the Muslim Rohingya community say that more than 100 Rohingya were killed on Tuesday and 440 houses burnt by ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in a village called Yaing Thay, in the northern part of the state. Local Rohingya have accused the police of participating in the violence and shooting members of their community.

The allegations continue - community leaders claim 350 homes, two mosques and a madrassa were burnt in the village of Thayet Oat on 22 October and they say 200 Rohingya houses were burnt in a place called Aung Dine later that same day.

These villages are situated in an area known as Minbya Township and if these reports are true, it suggests that a concerted campaign has begun to drive Rohingya out of this district. Remember though, that these people don't have anywhere to go - Rohingya are denied citizenship in Burma and no other country has expressed a willingness to take a group that numbers close to a million people.

Verifying these claims will prove extremely difficult. Security in northern parts of Rakhine State - which abuts the border with Bangladesh - is extremely tight. NGO officials including those from the UN are granted limited access on safety grounds while independent observers are effectively banned. Yet if these allegations are true, it would constitute the worst outbreak of violence since June when fighting left some than 75,000 Rohingya and 5,000 Buddhists homeless.

International concern

International actors are already worried about the failure of Burma's political leaders to support the Rohingya. The President, Thein Sein and the much celebrated opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have said little about the crisis in the Northwest and this perceived ambivalence has consequences - arguably, it is contributing to a climate where ethnic Buddhists in Rakhine State feel their Muslim neighbours are legitimate targets.

You can understand the politicians' approach in terms of political expediency - most people in Burma argue the Rohingya are unwelcome and a series of demonstrations in major cities over the last few months has driven the point home.

President Sein has responded to - or capitalised on the popular mood recently by reneging on an agreement to let the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation open an office in the nation’s capital Yangon. The OIC, with 57 member nations, wants to help the Rohingya by distributing food aid and medical supplies. President Sein said opening an office would not be "in accordance with the people's desires".

The people's desires must be challenged however – if Burmese leaders do not make a stand, the inspirational story of Burma's transition from tyranny to democracy may be lost.

More than 800 houses burn out in Minbya and Maruk-U

Minbye, Arakan State: Fresh clashes between Rohingyas and Rakhines have broken out in volatile western Myanmar, leaving more than 600 homes burned to the ground, according to an elder from Minbya.
“In the cashed, at least 100 Rohingyas dead, but authority used only three people dead and more than 340 homes.”
The Rakhines with help of police and army, attacked the Rohingya villages; Parein village of Mrauk U and Paiketay Rwa (Fishing village), Tharak Rwa of Pann Mraung village, Sudaine Rwa village of Minbya town, have been heavily attack from yesterday evening., Kaman and Rakhine muslim houses in Parein village of Mrauk U town and Paiketay Rwa (Fishing village), Tharak Rwa of Pann Mraung village, Sudaine Rwa village of Minbya town, have been heavily attack from yesterday evening , according to sources from Min bya.
“Moreover, Parein village consisting all more than 500 houses, has been set fire from today morning 4:00am and all have been burnt down;Paiketay Rwa (Fishing village) consisting about 300 houses, was torched yesterday evening 22:30pm and about 50 houses were burnt down; Tharak Rwa of Pann Mraung village consisting about 190 houses within Rakhine dominated area, was attacked from 7:00am today morning and all have been  burnt down; and Sudaine Rwa village was also set fire today around 15:00pm today but how many houses burnt down was not yet known.”
Thousands of Rakhines attacked Rohingya villages with arrows and gun while the military did not stop Rakhine who attacking Rohingya villages, according to Rohingya sources.
Rohingya group based in Sittwe has informed to the Rakhine state minister and human rights commission members on the time from yesterday but didn’t take any action.
Yainetay (Zula Fara) village of Mrauk U town and Nagara Pauktaw village of Minbya , had been set fire today morning where military and polices forces do not stop Rakhine people and they are just pushing out Rohingya villagers.
Authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the townships on October 22 and both areas were calm today, according to Rakhine state Attorney-General Hla Thein.
Moreover, the two mosques of Anauk Paikseik (West Fishing village) and Arashi Quarter of Kyaukpru, were attacked on October 22, at around 23:00pm. The villagers had able to extinguish the fire so only the fences were burnt down. But when the authority arrested the imam religious leader and the guards and accusing that they themselves set fire the mosques, according to an elder from Kyaukpyu

Security force destroys fishing boats in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma border security force (Nasaka) had shot and destroyed some fishing boats while Rohingya fishermen tried to go to the Naf River mount on October 20, 2012, said fisherman on condition of anonymity.
“No one injured while Nasaka fired to the fishing boats to stop going to the River for fishing.”
The fishing boats are taking to the Shilkhali Nasaka-out post under the area number 7 where the stream is very big to keep the fishing boats, said an elder from Shilkhali.
“The Nasaka personnel from Shilkhali arrested all the fishermen and took to their camp, then the Nasaka tortured fishermen to extort money.”
However, all the arrested fishermen were released after taking money by Nasaka. But, Nasaka took 15,000 Kyat from each engine boat. So, many fishermen are facing difficulties now, said an aide of Nasaka.
Some fishermen are:-  Younus (30),  Nurul Haque (35), son of Tazu Muluk, Sayed Kasim (30), son of Lal Meah of Khonza Bill and Rahamat Ullah (25), son of Aman Ullah of Udaung village tract under the Aley Than Kyaw of Maungdaw south.

Nasaka uses false allegation to extort money in Maungdaw South

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested a Rohingya youth with false allegation – using Bangladesh mobile  phone- on October 21, said a villager from Aley Than Kyaw.
The Rohingya youth-Kamal 18, son of Zinna, hailed from Khonza Bill under Aley Than Kyaw of Maundaw south.
The Nasaka personnel from Shilkhali Nasaka out-post under the area number 7 went to his home where the Nasaka broke the door and arrested, said an aide of Nasaka.
However, he was released after taking bribes Kyat 250,000 by Nasaka the next day, said a relative on condition of anonymity.
He also said that Burma’s border security forces and Natala villagers are harassing, looting, torturing, arresting, extorting and rape Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw south, but harassments are being increased against the Rohingya villagers day by day.