A Rohingya house in Aley Than Kyaw set on fire by unidentified Rakhine assailants

RB News 

August 2, 2013 

Maungdaw, Arakan – Maulana Abdul Rashid, a Rohingya from Maung Tola village, Aley Than Kyaw, Maungdaw Township, Arakan State had his house set on fire by unidentified Rakhine assailants, July 30, 2013 at 11 pm. 

On July 30, 2013 at 11 pm, Maulana Abdul Rashid’s house was set on fire by unknown Rakhine assailans, but fortunately the villagers and family were able to control the blaze and only the kitchen was destroyed by the fire. The authorities came and brought Abdul Awal, son of Maulana Abdul Rashid, to the police station. 

“The unknown Rakhine extremist group set fired the house of Maulana Abdul Rashid at 11 pm. As the villagers and the family members could control the fire, the kitchen only burned down. The authorities found four petrol gallons beside the house when they came for investigation. It seems they set the fire and left the petrol.” a villager told RB News. 

It was reported to authorities that the arson attack of the Rohingya's house in Arakan was by Rakhine extremists. Although eye witnesses were available the police said they wouldn't investigate if the attack was perpetrated by Rakhines without photographic evidence. Reportedly the police pressured the victim to state that the arson attack was done by Rohingyas. When the victim refused flatly to make false accusations the police demanded 500,000 Kyat as extortion to close the case. 

On top of this the victim had to pay 300,000 Kyat to the police, 100,000 Kyat to the village administrator Maung Thet Naing and 100,000 Kyat to SaRaPha (Military) and the investigation was closed as though the fire was a normal occurrence.