“Will Be Shot If Performed Eid Prayer” Says Maungdaw District Administrator

RB News 

October 15, 2013 

Maungdaw, Arakan – Maungdaw District Administrator Aung Myint Soe, threatened Rohingya Muslims in Maungdaw that the authorities will shoot anyone who tries to perform congregational Eid prayer in Maungdaw on October 16, 2013. 

Village administrators in Maungdaw Township need to attend the regular meeting at Maungdaw Township administrator office twice every month. Every 1st and 16th of the month. In the meetings, Maungdaw District Adminstrator Aung Myint Soe, Township Administator, the heads of regional authorities and other departmental heads used to attend. The meeting held yesterday instead of on 16th for it to happen before Eid. In yesterdays meeting, District Administrator Aung Myint Soe threatened very rudely that they will take very serious action against any people who try to perform congregational Eid prayer. 

“District Administrator Aung Myint Soe said in the meeting “You Bengalis can’t do anything here as you wish. You can’t pray on Eid day. We will take serious action if you prayed. We will shoot you. You Bengalis came here just recently. You are not citizens. You can’t also become citizens. You have to go back your original place,” He was very rude. Other officers are not rude like him. They are at least polite whenever they talk to us. But this District Administrator Aung Myint Soe is always using bad words in the meeting.” a Rohingya from Maungdaw told RB News. 

“He continued “Don’t think anyone will be able to save you Bengalis. Tell your OIC, Ban Ki-moon, Obama and any NGO can’t save you. You have to stay here as slaves. You have to pay penalties for the Rakhine houses those have been burnt. You guests can’t move freely and live here as hosts. You must remember all of these.” Although he is a district administrator, he is very rude. So how can he respect him? He is destroying the peace and stability in the region.” the local Rohingya added. 

Although the Rohingya residents in Maungdaw were expecting to celebrate Eid day, they are now very upset and sad for being threatened by the district administrator.