Government tactfully facilitates Rohingyas to leave their native land
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| (Photo - YATEEM TV) |
RB News
February 7, 2013
(Translated into English by Anwar Arkani)
The Rohingya was recognized as one of the ethnic groups during parliamentary democracy government in post independent Burma since 1948. As they were on equal footing with other ethnic groups, Rohingyas served the country by holding public services in various government sectors.
After the coup d’état in 1962, General Ne Win, one of the world’s most notorious dictators, ended the radio broadcasting service in Rohingya language from the National Radio Broadcasting Services of Burma in 1965 as his first step to segregate the Rohingya. Then he attempted to drive out the Rohingyas from their native land by using the Dragon Operation in 1978. The dictator was not successful in carrying out his prejudice plan. Then he enacted the 1982 Citizenship Law as a subsequent plan that has rendered the Rohingyas as stateless.
Even in Constituent Assembly of 1947 under General Aung San Rohingyas were elected as members in the assembly. Ironically, Rohingya lost their voting and contestant rights after 1982. However, after the military crackdown on the nationwide uprising in 1988 SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration Council] was formed, and under their rules Rohingyas regained their lost rights as voters and contenders. Nonetheless, in 1990, General Khin Nyunt, the then intelligent chief, re-implemented the discriminatory policies against Rohingya which was initiated by General Ne Win. He formed NaSaKa (Border Security Force) to systematically persecute the Rohingya with a long term plan.
Now Myanmar is being ruled by a so called democratic government representing the people. But the government uses Rohingya as scapegoat to divert public anger for various problems caused by its mismanagement and corruption. Although Rohingya and Rakhine live together peacefully in Arakan for decades, they became enemies. The core reason behind is none other than a premeditated plan of some Rakhine extremists and racist government to exterminate Rohingya.
The collaboration of Rakhine extremists and the government has become crystal clear. The core motive is to drive out the Rohingyas from their ancestral land where they live for centuries and replace them with the Buddhists from Bangladesh. A few days ago, the Rakhine state government told to the media in no uncertain terms that the Buddhists who fled from Bangladesh to Rakhine state are permitted to be resettled in Maungdaw and they will be provided 2 acres of paddy field and the houses. That proves that core motive.
Although Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country, the Buddhists living there have equal rights and it is known to the world that, unlike in Burma, there is no religious persecution in Bangladesh. No country provides shelter or asylum for a people if there is no persecution against them in their native land. Why then Myanmar is recruiting and bringing the Buddhists from Bangladesh to resettle in Arakan on Rohingyas’ land while pushing out hundreds of thousands of native of Burma who are non-Buddhists? The motive seems to be obvious.
Now Rohingyas are leaving for Thailand or Malaysia using sea journey. As they could not bear seamless persecution in their native land, Rohingyas are in search of a better place where they can live a peaceful life. Although there is no guarantee that they will find a place to live peacefully, old and young alike are willing to take the risk with the hope that one day they will find a place to live peacefully. While Rohingyas are not allowed to leave their villages, who arrange the journey? The NaSaKa personals are arranging the boats for them. As some military officers from Thailand involve in human trafficking, the NaSaKa and village administrations also involve in trafficking of Rohingyas.
Recently RB News contacted some Rohingyas in Arakan. A Rohingya from Mrauk-U said that the Rakhine extremists from Minbuu village always shout by saying, “Here is no place for you guys. We will send you third countries.”
“Rakhine Patriotic Network led by Daw Khin Mar Cho warned the Myaung Bwe hospital authorities not to provide any kind of treatment to any Muslim” a resident of Mrauk-U told to RB News. In addition, that Rakhine Patriotic Network threatened that they will set fire to Paung Tote Rohingya village on February 8, 2013.
A Rohingya from Thayak Oak village, Min Bya Towship told RB News that “Pan Myaung Rakhine village is nearby our village. Every night they fire home-made guns as if it is a warning sign that they will attack us.”
Don’t the authorities know all these? They know everything and let it loose. The government is neglecting all these because it is their plan and being carried out in collaboration with Rakhine extremists.
“Today four boats left from here. All boats were arranged by NaSaKa. The boat-people were also recruited by NaSaKa. There are about 500 people in four boats. We came to know that they are intending to go to Malaysia. NaSaKa arranged the boats, people and took the money. They are earning the money and at the same time driving us out from our country—killing two birds with one stone,” said a Rohingya villager from Ohn Taw Lay village of Sittwe Towship.
