Four Rohingya arrested in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested four Rohingya villagers on March 14, with so called arrest warrant for setting on fire  Rakhine’s houses –  false allegation to extort money -  in Maungdaw south during  June, 2012, according to a villager on condition of anonymity.
“A group of Nasaka personnel from Nasaka out-post of Khonza Bill, under the Nasaka area number 7, went to the Khonza Bill village tract and arrested them while they were sleeping in their houses at night that day.”
The arrested have been identified as Abdu Rahaman (26), son of Fazal Ahamed, Azizur Rahaman (13), son of Habib Ullah, Md. Yahaya (14), son of Salim Ullah and Fondit alias (39), son of Nukmal Hakim, hailed from Khonza Bill village tract of Aley Than Kyaw under the Maungdaw township.
After arrest, they were brought to the Khoza Bill Nasaka out-post and severely beaten up in custody, according to a relative of them. “However, they were released after paying money by Nasaka personnel on March 16”.
Sources said that Nasaka personnel frequently go to said village and arrested Rohinyga villagers over the false and fabricationted allegations. So, the villagers are not able to sleep at homes for fear of arrest by Nasaka personnel.
Many Rohingya villagers of Khonza Bill had been arrested and extorted huge money by Nasaka personnel of Nasaka area number 7 since February 2013.
In really, the Rakhine villagers burned down the Rohingya villagers’ houses, but accused the Rohingya villagers. They also tortured, detained and extorted money with false and fabricated allegations, said a local elder.

Rohingya means Rakhine: Dr. Aye Chan

Bangkok, Thailand: Dr. Aye Chan, a history Professor, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan had repeated again and again  “ Rohingya mean Rakhine” and “Rohingya language is Rakhine language”  at International seminar on Rakhine history (Arakan), held at Mahidol University, Bangkok on March 9, according to U Ye Lwin, former history lecturer who attend the seminar.

U Htay Lwin Oo

“Dr. Aye Chan, repeated again and again while U Htay Lwin Oo - racially Rakhine but scholar- questioned with references book - “A Comparative Vocabulary of Some of the Languages Spoken in the Burma Empire in 1799 ″ by Francis Buchanan – which mentioned Rohingya is the native of Arakan and their language with comparing others languages. U Haty Lwin Oo pointed out the pronunciations – Sun, Mon and earth – which is similar to recent Rohingya languages. He also appointed out with report that Rohingya means Mohammedans (Islam religious). After seeing the references book, Dr. Aye Chan said Rohingya mean Rakhine and after again seeing languages he again said the Rohingya language is Rakhine Languages (Arakanese).”
We received the information of the International seminar on Rakhine history (Arakan), which will held in Bangkok and hope that the organizers will invite some Rohingya leaders as it is an international conference. But, we don’t get any information. So, We – I, U Ye Lwin, U Tha Aye and Mohamed Khan- reached Bangkok on March 8 and tried to contact the organizer, but we failed. At last, U Htay Lwin Oo tried by him selves to get permission for at last 12 Rohingya leaders and actives where got only four persons including U Htay Lwin Oo, said U Kyaw Min, former NDPHR MP.

Rohingya participants  at International seminar on Rakhine history (Arakan)

We are happy while the participants greeted to us at last when I appointed out documents which were published in the early periods and giving me the microphone to spoke to Dr. Aye Chan in the seminar where the organizer only allowed the participants to write questions on a paper which was also censored by first two monks and mediator. It is not sure, the questions will answer by scholar or not. It is very difficult to ask questions and challenge. I am very lucky, to able to speak and challenge, said U Htay Lwin Oo.
“The aim of seminar is to introduction of Rakhine history to the international community, to correct a continued description of Rohingya by international media that is not recognized by successive Myanmar governments, and to bring reliable references of Rakhine history from international historians," said Kyaw Thaung, one of the seminar's organizers.
But, Dr. Abid Bahar said, “So far so good but a detailed understanding shows the seminar wanted to prove that there were no Rohingya in Arakan. Rohingyas are being labelled as "Bengalis" If Rohingyas are from Bangladesh why Bangladesh doesn't want to accept them? Also why are there boat people in the sea? So the question was not about Rohingya existence in Arakan but was to deny Rohingya existence in Arakan. Surely the present seminar by the known sponsors was to comply with the government's official policy of Rohingya genocide.This is a Rakhine sponsored conference. Knowing it very well the Western speakers Jet Pilder, Stephen van Galen were keeping their agenda in line with the sponsors and tried to be more superficial to scratch on the surface of Arakan history. Unfortunately however in the name of their participation their names were cleverly abused by the Rakhine sponsors.
The Eleven Media Group published, "History Professor Aye Chan of Kanda University of International Studies, Japan, traced the increased cross-border settlement from 1826 to 1975 as Chittagong natives moved in to become the majority in Maungdaw and Buthedaung townships. In his talk "From Rakhine cross-border settlement to ethnic violence." History tells us otherwise. There were waves of Rakhin Mogh and Rohingya influx into Chittagong as a result of Bodapawa's invasion in 1784. Then the 1942 Rakhine killing of Rohingya led to further influx that continued through the 50;s through 1978, 82-83 and till now but Chan said the Bengali Muslim population increased from 58,255 in 1871 to 178,647 in 1911, when they represented 94 per cent of the population in Maungdaw and 84 per cent in Buthedaun. He also explained Muslim rebels' destruction of Rakhine villages."  What can you expect from Aye Chan who is a known xenophobe and coauthored a book identifying Rohingyas as        “Viruses?" Dr. Abid Bahar, pointed out the direction of Media group and seminar.
“The Eleven Media Group’s published the identity of U Htay Lwin Oo as a Bengali activist which is not true. He is a racially Rakhine but a scholar.”
Dr. Aye Chan said the name Rohingya was officially coined from the 50's but he didn't say before which they were known as "Muslims of Arakan" In doing this he also cleverly ignored the fact to the people present that the name "Rakhine was also a new term officially adapted during the 1920's before which they were identified as the "Mogh," said Dr. Abid Bahar.
Thus, deliberately ignoring historical facts, including a xenophobe among the speakers, the latter particularly is likely to ignore the reliable references of Rakhine history. While the hidden objective of the seminar was served, no doubt it provided disservice to humanity, to the continued suffering of the Rohingya stateless people, Dr. Abid Bahar remarked.

Rakhines hack to death Rohingya graduate in Buthidaung

Buthidaung, Arakan State: A group of Rakhine terrorists brutally hacked to death a Rohingya young graduate on March 11, at around mid-night, in Buthiddaung south, said a close relative of the victim on condition of anonymity. 
“The victim was identified as Eliyas (aka) Maung Than Lwin (25), son of Ali, hailed from U Hla Pye village of Buthidaung Township. He secured degree with bio- chemistry from Sittwe (Akyab) University.”
The victim’s father, Ali is an officer of the Forest Department of Buthidaung Township recently. The victim’s grandfather late Mr. Wares was also an ex- forest officer.
On that day, Forest officer Ali accompanied by his two sons Eliyas and his younger brother and another one was Ali’s nephew (four persons) --- were carrying out  their duty at the Khandaung village sentry box of forestry and they (three persons) slept at the sentry box at night except Ali. He returned to his home at U Hla Pye village, another relative of the victim said preferring not to be named.
A number of 12-Rakhine racist along with long swords and knives from nearby Rakhine village went to the said sentry box at around mid-night attacked those sons of Ali. However, Ali’s younger son and nephew were escaped by running to the jungles but, Eliyas was caught up by the extremists and killed, a villager said quoting the Ali’s younger son who was escaped from the murder.
Villagers believe that before his death, his legs and hands were tied up with ropes then he was killed. His pieces of body were thrown into the river.  But, the dead body is not found yet or still missing, said a local trader who denied to be named.
On being informed, in the morning, a group of Nasaka personnel and the army from nearby camps rushed to the spot and inquiry to the event. After that the security forces cordoned a Rakhine village nearby, after searching, they arrested eight-Rakhine persons. But four others were escaped from the scene, said a Nasaka aide preferring not to be named.
The arrested eight Rakhine terrorists are identified as--- Aung San Thein (from Immigration Department of Buthidaung), San Tin (from land registry office), Hla Tun, Tin Soe and Aung Myint (from Forestry Department), Zarni Aung and Nay Linn (from Agricultural Department), San Thein (from General Town Administration Department), the Nasaka aide further added.
The gang leader is Aung San Thein who is from the Department of the Immigration of Buthidaung, a local youth said who denied to be named.
A local elder of U Hla Pye village said, “It is a systematic plan made by a Rakhine extremist group, its main objective is to create panic among the Rohingya villagers and to reduce government service men from the Rohingya community, so that they would occupy their services.”

Nasaka commander summons villagers in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State| More than 60 villagers including village administrators were summoned by the commander of Nasaka area No. 7, yesterday, at about 3:00 pm, said one of the local village Administrator from Aley Than Kyaw.
“Villagers were called to the village of Khonza Bill under the Aley Than Kyaw village tract and ordered them not to go out of the houses from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.”
In the meeting, the Nasaka commander discussed many different issues with village leaders and administrators regarding the present situation of Arakan State, said an aide of Nasaka.
The Nasaka commander told the participants that every villager must have to inform to the concerned authorities, if any relative pays a visit. The officer also told that if there any event happens in a village such as burning houses, it will not be informed to any department.
“If anyone doesn’t comply with the order, he/she will be punished according to the law,” the commander added.
A participant, named Mohammed Taher asked the Nasaka Commander a question regarding some Rohingya farmers who live in huts outside of village to look after their crop fields. He asked whether a permit is necessary for such purpose.
The commander replied the question by saying that who wants to live out of the village, they have to give information to the concerned authorities to get permission, said a participant on condition of anonymity. It is another tactic for arbitrary arrests of the villagers by giving allegations, according to villagers.
“Many people say, the present government is moving into democracy, but in fact, it is not changing in rural areas. It is worse than previous one. President’s mind set is not changed, so far, though he has changed into civilian clothes his mind is as it was before”, said a politician.

Rakhine villager was caught while trying to set fire

Maungdaw, Arakan State:A Rakhine villager was caught red handed by Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw Town on 9th March, at around 4:00 am while he was trying to set fire in Rohingya houses, said a businessman from the locality on condition of anonymity.

“The Rakhine man was caught along with a sword, two bottles of petrol and two matchboxes by villagers in Shikdar Para (Myoma Kayan Dan) village. ...He is from the neighboring Rakhine village.”

After catching him red handed, the villagers handed him over to the village Administrator. On being informed, police rushed to the spot and received the culprit, according to an aide of police.

But, police said that he is a mad man from Maruk-U Township, why did the villagers caught him?He is innocent.

According to villagers, he is from neighboring Rakhine village and is not a mad man. He is a courageous man who was dare enough to set fire on Rohingya village alone,at night.

“In Reality, Rakhine villagers do not dare to set fire Rohingya village, but,the concerned authorities are provoking and backing them to do this type of stuffs in order to make life of the Rohingya villagers unstable”, the villagers added.

Regarding the event, when contacted the Maungdaw police station, they refused to give any comment.

On March 7, at around 1:30 am, six houses were of Shikdar Para of Maungdaw Town were burnt down by unknown Rakhine villagers with the help of police of Maungdaw police station.

“It is proved that the six houses of Sikdar Para were burned down by a group of Rakhine extremists, three days ago,” said a village elder preferred not to be named.

Nasaka commander summons villagers in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State| More than 60 villagers including village administrators were summoned by the commander of Nasaka area No. 7, yesterday, at about 3:00 pm, said one of the local village Administrator from Aley Than Kyaw.
“Villagers were called to the village of Khonza Bill under the Aley Than Kyaw village tract and ordered them not to go out of the houses from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.”
In the meeting, the Nasaka commander discussed many different issues with village leaders and administrators regarding the present situation of Arakan State, said an aide of Nasaka.
The Nasaka commander told the participants that every villager must have to inform to the concerned authorities, if any relative pays a visit. The officer also told that if there any event happens in a village such as burning houses, it will not be informed to any department.
“If anyone doesn’t comply with the order, he/she will be punished according to the law,” the commander added.
A participant, named Mohammed Taher asked the Nasaka Commander a question regarding some Rohingya farmers who live in huts outside of village to look after their crop fields. He asked whether a permit is necessary for such purpose.
The commander replied the question by saying that who wants to live out of the village, they have to give information to the concerned authorities to get permission, said a participant on condition of anonymity. It is another tactic for arbitrary arrests of the villagers by giving allegations, according to villagers.
“Many people say, the present government is moving into democracy, but in fact, it is not changing in rural areas. It is worse than previous one. President’s mind set is not changed, so far, though he has changed into civilian clothes his mind is as it was before”, said a politician.

NASAKA abducts a rohingya family

Maungdaw,Arakan|| The border security force of Myanmar
(NASAKA) based in area no 14 of Maungdaw,attacked the home
of a well to do family in Shwejar village on 9th March,saturday.
The victim was identified as Abul Hossain(85) and his immediate
family.
On that day,a group of sixty Nasaka personnels surrounded his
home from all side,they then entered his home beat him mercilessly
and threw him in a nearby pond,his wife Momtaz(67) was beaten too
when she tried to save her husband from beating.They snatched her
golden chain while beating her,their elder daughter Hosne Ara
a middle aged lady was also attacked by the nasaka forces they
cut her ear while taking her earrings with sharp knives.
Their son Lasim was given a rough greeting while he tried
to talk with them by beating him without mercy.
Abul Hossain's other daughter Khadiza was hit on her head
by a knife thrown by the nasaka,she was seriously injured.
The nasaka took away all of their golden ornamanents worth
25 tickles implying that those were not theirs.
In the following morning the 14th nasaka area commander along
with his escorts took the family away and their whereabouts
are unknown.Their relatives seemed to be really worried
about their lives.
A villager who preferred not to be named said that,"the
well to do families of rohingya community are not spared
now a days,what will happen with the normal rohingya people
like us?"
The law and order situation of Arakan specially Maungdaw
is degrading everyday,even the security forces provide
no security to the minority rohingya people.