Arrest, Torture and Extortion In Buthidaung While Checking Guest Lists

RB News 

September 12, 2013

Buthidaung, Arakan – A group of Hlun Htaine, police, soldiers and village administrators raided Rohingya houses. They arrested 10 Rohingyas including 3 women. This happened in Phaya Aung Pyin Pa village in Nyaung Chaung village tract of Buthidaung Township in Arakan State. 

On September 7th, at 10 pm a group of police along with Hlun Htaine, soldiers and village administrators raided the houses in Phaya Aung Pyin Pa village and arrested 10 Rohingyas on baseless accusations and later the arrestees had money extorted from them.

“The accusations were found more or less people at home than the list in family registration list. They just accused whatever they have in their mouths. And also some were accused as using Bangladesh mobile SIM. They arrested 10 Rohingyas including some women with those false accusations.” a Rohingya told RB News. 

The arrestees were brought to Buthidaung police station. The police asked them to pay 100,000 kyats for their release. Furthermore, the police threatened them that they will be arrested again if they inform the media or any others about the arrest and extortion. Reportedly, the arrestees were beaten and scolded by the police. Although the arrestees couldn’t afford it, they borrowed the money from others to give to the police. They feared that otherwise, they would be sentenced with false allegations. 

The village administrator of Phaya Aung Pyin village is a Rakhine. He is always collaborating with police, Hlun Htaine and soldiers to extort money from local Rohingyas.

The 10 Rohingyas who were released after paying 100,000 kyats in extortion are:

(1) Einus, son of Kala Miah (45-years-old) 

(2) Zahir Uddin, son of Abdul Salam (49-years-old) 

(3) Amir Hussein, son of Mawtaw Lab (39-years-old) 

(4) Halima, daughter of U Shaim (35-years-old) 

(5) Aisha, daughter of Nazir Ahmed (37-years-old) 

(6) Hasina, daughter of Musa Miah (40-years-old) 

(7) Abu Bakr, son of Abdul Gani (53-years-old) 

(8) Abdul Rahman, son of Kala Miah (54-years-old) 

(9) Abdul Qader, son of Muter (43-years-old) 

(10) Qader Hussein, son of Abdul Rahman (37-years-old)