Maungdaw, Arakan State: Members of Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) forcibly entered a house from in the Litra (Kurkhali) village area of Maungdaw North on November 16, at midnight, said a schoolteacher who preferred not to be named.
The house belonged to a Monsur Alam who was away at his business during the incident, though his wife was home.
The Nasaka members, of whom there were three, did a thorough search of the house, claiming to be searching for an illegal mobile phone. They were accompanied by 4 local collaborators. While in the house, they broke into an iron box and took 125,000 kyats belonging to Alam and his wife.
Alam’s wife Fatema Khatun and his mother Roshida Begum were severely beaten for offering resistance. Fatema Khatun was nine months pregnant, said a relative of Monsur Alam.
The next day, Khatun went with her husband to the Kawar Bill Nasaka HQ. They reported the incident to the duty officer but that officer declined to take immediate action. The couple returned home unsatisfied, said a local trader quoting Alam.
Subsequently, Alam was summoned by Area Commander Major Kyaw Aung to the Nasaka Office 4 for questioning but did not go for fear of arrest or harassment.
A local businessman complained, “Why did the Nasaka take away his money after they failed to find any illegal mobile sets?”
A local elder thought it suspicious that the seven had forced their way into the house while only women were present and without a village administrative officer present.
A local youth gave the names of the collaborators as Faizal , Dulaya, Alam Gir, and Ayub.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Arrests and extortion in Maungdaw
Maungdaw, Arakan State: Yesterday, at 10 p.m., three men were arrested by the local border security force (Nasaka).
They were at a village shop eating jelaphi, a locally made sweet, said a relative of the victims.
The arrested men were identified as Sayeddul Amin (22), son of Abdu Zalil, ali Zuhar (30), son of Noru Alam, and Mohamed Noor (23), son of Mohamed Jalil. They all lived in Nanda Khali village, which is in the Nasaka’s Area No.6 in Maungdaw Township.
A group of Nasaka personnel, who were on duty at the village administration office, went to the shop and made the arrests, claiming the three were drinking wine.
The three men were physically abused by the Nasaka who demanded money for their release while keeping them in a stockade.
Upon paying 700,000 kyats to the Nasaka, the men were released the following morning, said a close friend of the victims.
“They were only eating jelaphi. They did not commit a crime but were arrested and tortured. The Nasaka demanded money to release them,” said a village elder.
“People across Arakan State hope the visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton will pressure the new army-basked civilian Burmese government on the human rights violation that occur in every part of the Burma,” said a local elder from Maungdaw Town.
They were at a village shop eating jelaphi, a locally made sweet, said a relative of the victims.
The arrested men were identified as Sayeddul Amin (22), son of Abdu Zalil, ali Zuhar (30), son of Noru Alam, and Mohamed Noor (23), son of Mohamed Jalil. They all lived in Nanda Khali village, which is in the Nasaka’s Area No.6 in Maungdaw Township.
A group of Nasaka personnel, who were on duty at the village administration office, went to the shop and made the arrests, claiming the three were drinking wine.
The three men were physically abused by the Nasaka who demanded money for their release while keeping them in a stockade.
Upon paying 700,000 kyats to the Nasaka, the men were released the following morning, said a close friend of the victims.
“They were only eating jelaphi. They did not commit a crime but were arrested and tortured. The Nasaka demanded money to release them,” said a village elder.
“People across Arakan State hope the visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton will pressure the new army-basked civilian Burmese government on the human rights violation that occur in every part of the Burma,” said a local elder from Maungdaw Town.
Over 1300 Rohingyas arrested in Bangladesh so far this year
Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh authorities have arrested over 1300 Rohingyas along the Bangladesh-Burma border within eleven month of 2011, according to different sources.
Most Rohingyas were arrested at different border entry points and pushed back to Burma by the concerned authorities.
Among those arrestees, thirteen were sent to Cox’s Bazar jail under suspicion of smuggling.
In January 2011, Bangladesh authorities arrested 73 Rohingya. The totals for the rest of the year so far are: 76 in February, 70 in March, 132 in April, 255 in May, 132 in June, 73 in July, 128 in August, 161 in September and 261 in November 2011. This adds up to 1361, though October figures (not listed) would swell the total even more.
Eventually, all those arrested were sent back into Burma after being investigated by the authorities, according to officials.
An official aide said on condition of anonymity, “Most Rohingya people come to Bangladesh from Burma to see their relatives in the refugee camps and also come to get better medical treatment in Bangladesh.”
“In Arakan State, he continued, “Rohingya people aren’t able go to Aykab (Sitwe) for better medical treatment due to restrictions movement imposed by government and the expense needed to reach Akyab.”
Most Rohingyas were arrested at different border entry points and pushed back to Burma by the concerned authorities.
Among those arrestees, thirteen were sent to Cox’s Bazar jail under suspicion of smuggling.
In January 2011, Bangladesh authorities arrested 73 Rohingya. The totals for the rest of the year so far are: 76 in February, 70 in March, 132 in April, 255 in May, 132 in June, 73 in July, 128 in August, 161 in September and 261 in November 2011. This adds up to 1361, though October figures (not listed) would swell the total even more.
Eventually, all those arrested were sent back into Burma after being investigated by the authorities, according to officials.
An official aide said on condition of anonymity, “Most Rohingya people come to Bangladesh from Burma to see their relatives in the refugee camps and also come to get better medical treatment in Bangladesh.”
“In Arakan State, he continued, “Rohingya people aren’t able go to Aykab (Sitwe) for better medical treatment due to restrictions movement imposed by government and the expense needed to reach Akyab.”
Villagers in Maungdaw area face extortion tactics
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma Border Security Force (Nasaka) Commander of Nasaka area No.6 in Maungdaw Township recently instituted a new plan to extort money from villagers in his area, according to an anonymous local trader.
“This morning, the deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some villagers who had built houses or shops within his command area 16 or more years ago, after getting permission from the local Nasaka officer.”
“After arriving at the camp, the Commander asked those villagers to give money to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO),” the trader said.
According to the villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at the time. They only needed permission from a local Nasaka officer. So, they had no authorized permissions papers from the TPDC officer. However, the current Nasaka area commander demanded money from any villagers who lacked such permission documents.
A village elder said, “This is a creation by the Nasaka officer to extort money. He is cheating the villagers by using his power and position.”
Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking about how to get money from local Rohingya villagers by making new schemes or using their power to concoct fabricated accusations against villagers.”
“Those officers have no fear from their superiors as they are given free rein against the Rohingya community. They [the higher authorities] do not take any action against the culprits,” said a local teacher who declined to be named.
“The local Nasaka officer demanded100,000 kyats from a shop and between 200,000 and 300,000 kyats from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in Nasaka area No.6, and each has at least 50 houses and shops. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment,” the teacher concluded.
“This morning, the deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some villagers who had built houses or shops within his command area 16 or more years ago, after getting permission from the local Nasaka officer.”
“After arriving at the camp, the Commander asked those villagers to give money to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO),” the trader said.
According to the villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at the time. They only needed permission from a local Nasaka officer. So, they had no authorized permissions papers from the TPDC officer. However, the current Nasaka area commander demanded money from any villagers who lacked such permission documents.
A village elder said, “This is a creation by the Nasaka officer to extort money. He is cheating the villagers by using his power and position.”
Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking about how to get money from local Rohingya villagers by making new schemes or using their power to concoct fabricated accusations against villagers.”
“Those officers have no fear from their superiors as they are given free rein against the Rohingya community. They [the higher authorities] do not take any action against the culprits,” said a local teacher who declined to be named.
“The local Nasaka officer demanded100,000 kyats from a shop and between 200,000 and 300,000 kyats from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in Nasaka area No.6, and each has at least 50 houses and shops. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment,” the teacher concluded.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Camp police destroys unregistered refugee shack
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: Kutupalong registered camp police personnel had destroyed and fired a refugee shack of unregistered refugee camp on December 4, according to a refugee elder from the camp.
“The camp police personnel with plain cloth went to Mawgu’ shack - a unregistered refugee - to arrest with false allegation to extort money from him where the wife of Mawgu and his daughter with other female refugee attacked him for not showing arrest warrant and without uniform on December 3 at about 9:00pm.”
“The police who was attacked by refugee female appeared with uniform in the camp on December 4 morning to searched Mawgu’s shack and had beaten the Mawgu’s wife and daughter when the police not found Mawgu in the shack.”
“The police personnel also burned all the belongings of Mawgu inside the shack which also destroyed the shack.”
“Both female are seriously injured for beating by police personnel and are taking treatment in MSF (Holland) clinic,” said a female refugee near their shack.
It is learned that the police personnel with cooperation of police inspector Jawnail are trying to extort money from refugee with help of police aide of refugee in the camp.
“We had fled from our home land for discrimination and harassment of Burmese authority. Here, we also are facing same as inside Arakan in the camp.”
“We came Bangladesh for our safety and security of our life, but here we also are facing same as Burma, where shall we will get our safety and security.”
“The camp police personnel with plain cloth went to Mawgu’ shack - a unregistered refugee - to arrest with false allegation to extort money from him where the wife of Mawgu and his daughter with other female refugee attacked him for not showing arrest warrant and without uniform on December 3 at about 9:00pm.”
“The police who was attacked by refugee female appeared with uniform in the camp on December 4 morning to searched Mawgu’s shack and had beaten the Mawgu’s wife and daughter when the police not found Mawgu in the shack.”
“The police personnel also burned all the belongings of Mawgu inside the shack which also destroyed the shack.”
“Both female are seriously injured for beating by police personnel and are taking treatment in MSF (Holland) clinic,” said a female refugee near their shack.
It is learned that the police personnel with cooperation of police inspector Jawnail are trying to extort money from refugee with help of police aide of refugee in the camp.
“We had fled from our home land for discrimination and harassment of Burmese authority. Here, we also are facing same as inside Arakan in the camp.”
“We came Bangladesh for our safety and security of our life, but here we also are facing same as Burma, where shall we will get our safety and security.”
Burma and Bangladesh exchange prisoners
Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) handed over 19 released prisoners to Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) on December 3, while Burmese border security force (Nasaka) handed over 35 Bangladeshi prisoners through flag meeting between Nasaka and BGB at Teknaf, according to BGB official.
Flag meeting between Nasaka and BGB at Teknaf, the released prisoners from Bangladesh jail
Major A. Khoda Shamshur Zaman Mohammad Ariful of BGB Battalion # 42 of Teknaf led 10 members delegation from Bangladesh side while a nine-member delegation was led by Major San Win Khaing, the commander, Nasaka area No.6 of Burma side. Major Kyaw Aung, the commander of Nasaka area No.7 of Maungdaw Township was also participated in the meeting.
The step was carried out "at the request of the Bangladesh government and for the sake of friendly ties and relations between the two countries and considering their personal affairs."
Burma has released 35 Bangladeshis from jail as a goodwill gesture ahead of Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina's planned visit to the nation, according to bdnews24.com.
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina will be the first visit in the last eight years by any Bangladeshi leader to the Burma.
In 2003, then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia toured the country.
The visit also comes after Burmese deputy commander-in-chief Lieutenant-General Soe Win visited Bangladesh late last month.
The Released Prisoners (RPs) were arrested in Bangladesh from many places in earlier and were jailed in various jails. However, they have been staying in the jails, though their jail terms had been completed as no one had appeared to accept them, according to jail official.
According to a prisoner from Cox’s Bazar, there are about 500 released prisoners in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and other jails.
Among the released prisoners, some are Khamis, Rakhines, Chakmas and Rohingyas.
Nasaka also handed over 35 prisoners to BGB who were arrested by Nasaka earlier while fishing in Naff River and wood cutting from Burma-Bangladesh border.
Creating plan to extort money from villagers in Maungdaw
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) Commander of Nasaka area No.6 of Maungdaw Township recently created a new plan to extort money from villagers of his area, said a trader from the locality preferring not to be named.
“The deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some of villagers today in the morning who have built houses or shops within Nasaka area before 16 years ago after getting permission from concerned local Nasaka area.”
“After their arrival at the camp, the Commander asked the villagers to give money who did not require permission from Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO).”
According to villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at that time. They only need permission from local Nasaka officer. So, they have no authorized paper from TPDC officer. But, at present, the local Nasaka officer demands money from the villagers from those who have no document of TPDC Chairman.
A village elder said, “It is a creation to extort money by the Nasaka officer. It is a kind of cheating to the villagers by using of power and their positions.”
Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking, how they will get money from the local Rohingya villagers by making new plans or using power, implicating false and fabricated cases against the villagers.”
They have no fear from higher authorities as they let them to do anything against the Rohingya community. They (higher authorities) do not take any action against the culprits, said a local teacher referring not to be named.
“The local Nasaka officer demands Kyat 100,000 from a shop and Kyat 200,000 to 300,000 from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in that Nasaka area No.6, and at least over 50 houses and shops had been built in a village. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment.”
“The deputy commander of Nasaka area No.6 summoned some of villagers today in the morning who have built houses or shops within Nasaka area before 16 years ago after getting permission from concerned local Nasaka area.”
“After their arrival at the camp, the Commander asked the villagers to give money who did not require permission from Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, now the Township Administration Officer (TAO).”
According to villagers, they did not need permission from TPDC officer at that time. They only need permission from local Nasaka officer. So, they have no authorized paper from TPDC officer. But, at present, the local Nasaka officer demands money from the villagers from those who have no document of TPDC Chairman.
A village elder said, “It is a creation to extort money by the Nasaka officer. It is a kind of cheating to the villagers by using of power and their positions.”
Another local trader said on condition of anonymity, “Nasaka officers are always thinking, how they will get money from the local Rohingya villagers by making new plans or using power, implicating false and fabricated cases against the villagers.”
They have no fear from higher authorities as they let them to do anything against the Rohingya community. They (higher authorities) do not take any action against the culprits, said a local teacher referring not to be named.
“The local Nasaka officer demands Kyat 100,000 from a shop and Kyat 200,000 to 300,000 from a house. The shops were built in the villages or by the sides of the local roads. There are nine villages in that Nasaka area No.6, and at least over 50 houses and shops had been built in a village. So, the Nasaka officer will get a lot of money from the local Rohingya villagers without any investment.”
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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.