Current News on Arakan (11-07-2012)

A victimised Rohingya, Maung Oo from Sittwe on 9th July 2012 reported that Rakhines in the downtown of Sittwe were celebrating and throwing success parties for being able to drive out almost all Rohingyas from the urban areas to the rural areas. How could you celebrate as such for being able to kill some human beings and wipe them out of their places? I suspect you people being humane enough. It was further reported that in regard to this, when asked to Dr. Aye Maung, the leader of Rakhine National Development Party (RNDP) by some foreign media in BBC Burmese Service and other media in Burmese Language, he blatantly lied by replying "It is Rakhine Tradition to do so for the lives and properties we have lost." What kind of tradition is it in which people should laugh, dance, drink etc (which Rakhines were doing) for the losses of lives and properties instead of mourning for the deceased and the lost properties? "The reported stability achieved in Sittwe is a lie because all of the Muslims were either looted or destroyed. And Rakhines suffered to the minimum degree. Therefore, with the help of the government, they are restarting their businesses. And they are calling it stability while our people are living without shelter and starving to death." he further asserted. 

One more victim from Sittwe on 10th July 2012 reported on the condition of anonymity that around 50 Rohingyas (Majority were men) were killed who were trying to come back to Sittwe from Sandama, Miyoorkul and Anarai. These are the people who left their houses in Sittwe Town seeking the safe places when the violence erupted. Since they were facing severe starvation in Sandama, Miyoorkul and Anarai (where they took refuge), they begged authorities to either solve crises or safely send them back their original places. But the authorities did fulfil neither. In their inabilities to bear up anymore starvation, they attempted to come on their own. Consequently, they were killed near to a forest on their way back home reportedly by the members of RNDP. 

Moreover, the victim spoke his heart out about their vulnerable situation. (Crying!!!!). He said that RNDP and their allies in the region are spreading lies about the situation in Sittwe and triggering Rakhines towards Racial riots. RNDP is making all the efforts so that neither Myanmar Higher Officials nor International Humanitarian Workers can meet them (Rohingya Refugees). As a result, they can't explain their homeless and vulnerable situation and express their crises to the world. Whenever someone from the government or International Humanitarian workers come to Sittwe, they (leaders of RNDP) take them to show some minimum losses Rakhines suffered. Besides, they gather a lot of Rakhines including the people from Arakan Liberation Army (ALA) (who were brought into Sittwe by RNDP) and show them as though real refugees. 

He further anxiously exclaimed that thousands of his people were forced to leave their houses during the time of the violence against them. They are uncertain that whether or not they will have their places back (even though the mosques, houses and everything there were destroyed and made them into plain lands by using bulldozers). If not, what will government do to them? They are desperate to know that. And on 10th July 2012, a NaSaKa camp is being established at GoyllaDil and there are already NaSaKas numbering 250. Since NaSaKas are expert in torturing people, they believe NaSaKas are being brought to torture them. They are extremely worried that what they will do if NaSaKas start torturing them at a time when they are already ousted from their houses, have no food to eat and no place to take shelter. Besides, he dishearteningly said that they don't know how they can tell the world about real situation and express their crises. Furthermore, he firmly said that they have been living there for generations and never betrayed the nation. Instead, they have done whatever they could to help the country. Yet, they have been targeted and made preys by RNDP and looked down by the government. They want to plead United Nation, Human Rights Organizations and the President of the country and all concerned people to send someone to whom they can express about their vulnerable situation.They begged all the people who are concerned about humanity to take every step whatever possible to solve their grave humanitarian crises. 

Rathedaung 

Rohingya Women and their children in Anauk Pyin Village of Rathedaung are in grave trouble as they have been being constantly harassed, raped and tortured by the Military and Rakhine extremists since there are hardly any Rohingya men in the village. Most of their men were arrested by the authority and taken to Sittwe prison after the riot took place on June 16, 2012. No news about them since then. "On 15th June 2012, local Rakhines in Rathedaung surrounded Anauk Pyin village in the evening. Thus, on the spot, some Rohingya leaders informed the news to the Buthidaung military camp. But the military went there in next morning (i.e. on 16th June 2012). As a result, during the night, the fight went on between Rakhines and Rohingyas as Rohingyas had no choice since Rakhine had already surrounded their village. Both sides had the losses of lives. But when the Military got there in the morning, they shot at the few dead bodies of Rakhines and arrested 162 Rohingya men accusing that they had shot Rakhines with their guns and branding them as terrorists." an eyewitness (who has escaped the terrible incident) reported. Hardly any people in the world could have imagined that such kinds barbaric and inhumane human can still exist today. Whether one believes or not, this is what is going on in Arakan. 

A. Faisal from Southern Maung Daw on 9th July 2012 informed that some Military and Rakhine Extremists (also in Military Uniform) raided Sainda Village in southern Maung Daw. They started firing Guns at the villagers. Therefore, Rohingya men from the village ran away so as to save their lives. Then, they looted Rohingyas' houses. Simultaneously, 30 Rohingya Girls were forced to come out of their respective houses. Choosing 15 most beautiful girls among them, the Military and Rakhine terrorists forced them to take off their scarfs from their heads and to wrapthem around their waists. Then, these 15 Rohingya girls were made labors to carry the things which were looted from their own houses and were being taken to the forest. Hearing the crying voices of helpless Rohingya girls, Rohingya men who were hiding, in the end, could not bear up the injustices being carried against their girls. They tried to chase the Rakhine Terrorists and Barbaric Military away. On the other hand, NaSaKa in the region came to know that they (Military and Rakhines) were doing all such barbaric acts without their permission. NaSaKa drove them away to the forest. 

What one can realize by this incident is that on the ground and in reality, torturing and killings (of) Rohingya people, looting their properties, rapes against Rohingya girls etc are conspired by the extremist Rakhine Leaders without the permission of the higher authorities or officials of Myanmar. And it is really shocking that this kind of barbaric, inhumane and insulting act are taking place in Arakan while the rest of the world is watching on. 

Besides, during a census check by NaSaKa and Immigration Department Goona Fara of Shuja Village, 20 Rohinhgya men were arrested. After sometime, NaSaKa separated some 8 people among them from whom NaSaKa thought that they can extort huge amount of money. The remaining people numbering around 12 were handed over to the police in Maung Daw. The reason why they were arrested is not known. There has been no news from them since then as reported by Rahim from Maung Daw on 10th July 2012. 

On 11th July 2012, the same man from Maung Daw mentioned that some 7 trucks loaded with Military and NaSaKa raided Laamar Faara of Nuwaa Faara of Quarter 5. Subsequently, around 8 Rohingya men were arrested and taken to unknown locations. By this means, the government with the supports of local Rakhine gangs have been trying to exterminate Rohingyas (human beings) who have been living there for generations. 

Compiled by M.S. Anwar (RB Correspondent)