Muslim's Houses In Kyauk Phyu Sold By Notorious Authorities

RB News 

November 5, 2013

Kyauk Phyu, Arakan – Muslim homes that were left standing in Kyauk Phyu were sold by local authorities. This according to some Buddhists who love justice and peace, from Than Pan Chaung and Anaut Paing Ward in Kyauk Phyu.

Although the curfew section act 144 was imposed in Kyauk Phyu on October 22nd-24th, 2012 the authorities allowed the Rakhine extremists to raze Muslims’ houses. The authorities told the Muslims they would be able to return to their homes within one or two days and that their possessions would be safe there. On October 24th, 2012 the authorities ordered all Muslims, 400 families, 1500 people from 6 wards in Kyauk Phyu to move to Phaya Gyi camp. They are still living there now. The Muslims left all of their properties and households.

Paik Seik is The Muslim Ward in Kyauk Phyu. The Rakhine extremists torched all houses there on October 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2012 in presence of authorities, military and police. The Muslims fled for their lives to Thay Chaung, in Sittwe. 

Although Muslims in Ahyar Shi Ward, Than Pan Chaung Ward, Anaut Paing Ward, Myit Nar Tan Ward and Ah Soe Ya Ward were not attacked, they were forced by authorities to leave their homes. Forced into refugee camps. Since then the authorities restricted their movement from the camps. Now their houses have been being sold by Ward Administrators with the permission of regional authorities. Selling price for the Muslim's home are from 0.7 million to 2 million, depending on the size of the house. 

The houses owned by U Maung Hla, U Nyi Nyi, U Hla Shwe, U Ko Ko Aung, Daw Ma Nyan, U Aung Naing Chay, U Maung Ni, Ko Win Maung, Ko Nyi Hla and others in Ahyar Shi Ward, were sold by Ward Administrator U Zaw Lwin.

Toe Chat Ward Administrator U Tun Tun Oo sold the houses of U Kyaw Myint (Pen Master), U Daitlla, U Abul Kalam, U Maung Maung and others in Toe Chat Ward.

In Than Pan Chaung Ward, the houses of U Shwe Phoe, Daw Tin Tin Aye, U Maung Gyi and others were sold by Than Pan Chaung Ward Administrator U Maung Maung Chay.

The Ward Administrators claimed that they were selling the homes with the permission of District Administrator U Yan Linn Aung. They told buyers this and convinced them that there won’t be any problem to obtain ownership.

All household items and personal possessions from the Muslim's houses are also being sold off. Two-wheel tractors loaded with poor Muslim possessions are being sold from 40,000 kyats to 50,000 kyats each. For rich Muslim houses, their possessions are going for 100,000 kyats to 200,000 kyats a load. A good teak wooden door from a good house is about 50,000 kyats and a window goes for 10,000 kyats. The security personnel are giving security to the Buddhist buyers. The Ward Administrators are standing by there as cashiers. 

The Muslim refugees living in the camp in dire conditions, received the news of the development in their villages. The leaders went to complain about it to Colonel Thaik Soe, District Administrator U Yan Linn Aung and Township Administrator U Kyaw Thu Soe. All of them flatly denied any knowledge of the development. They suggested that the leaders of the refugees write a formal complaint letter systematically. Although the regional authorities were informed verbally no action has been taken yet. The ward administrators are enjoying a Muslim's houses selling festival in Kyauk Phyu.