Intelligent department staff extorting money like a robber

RB News

June 10, 2013

Maungdaw, Arakan – Aung Kyaw Zin from Special Branch of Intelligent is extorting money from local Rohingya residents like a robber in Maungdaw according to the villagers from Aley Than Kyaw, Maungdaw Township.

On 4th of June 2013, Aung Kyaw Zin arrested a Rohingya, Molvi Rahul Amin S/o Fayaz Ahmed (21-years-old) on false accusation while Amin was coming back from Aley Than Kyaw bazaar. Then he locked Amin up for one night in Intelligent Station. 

“This Molvi (Religious Cleric) is innocent. He was arrested while coming back from bazaar. Aung Kyaw Zin knew that the financial status of Amin’s parent could meet his extortion demand. I was informed that the Molvi was cruelly tortured while kept in prison for one night. Next morning (i.e. June 9, 2013), his parents gave Kyat 600,000/ extortion money to Aung Kyaw Zin and he was finally released.” a villager told to RB News.

Aung Kyaw Zin has been arresting local Rohingya residents nearby bazaar since long time for extortion. Every shopkeeper in Aley Than Kyaw must pay him 1,000/ Kyat weekly as bribe. Any shopkeeper would be arrested if fails to do so. A villager said that he especially targets the people who can effort the money. 

Beside this, about twenty members of Nasaka (Border Security Guards) from Area No (7) have raided Thadar village in Southern Maungdaw on 2nd of June 2013. As the Nasaka used to arrest, torture and extort money whenever they raid, the Rohingya men from the village fled. But one unfortunate Abu Kasim S/o Karlu (25-years-old) was unable to escape as he was sick. He was handcuffed and inhumanly tortured in front of his mother by the Nasaka. 

“Abu Kasim couldn’t go out because he was sick. Whenever Nasaka raided we were tortured and extorted money. Sometimes they arrest us and keep us in prison till we arrange the extortion money they ask for the release. So Rohingya men do not stay in the village whenever Nasaka comes. As Abu Kasim was sick and could not escape he was handcuffed and brutally beaten. And his mother couldn’t bear the pain and finally gave Kyat 200,000 to Nasaka to stop the torturing.” said a villager.

“Mayu district is like a hell for us” the villager continued.