Maungdaw, Arakan State: A youth was severely beaten and dragged by personnel of the General Engineering (GE) military unit after causing a cycle accident on Maungdaw-Bawli Bazaar Road of Maungdaw Township on March 11, said close relative of the victim.

On that day, at about 3:00 pm, a youth named Abu Alam, age 14, son of Md. Sayed, who hails from Kular Bill Village of Maungdaw Township, had a cycle accident with a GE military unit member while he was on his way home.

The youth was going to Kular Bill Village from Dagyi Zaar Village by bicycle, while the GE military officer, accompanied by a Nasaka collaborator named Nurul Alam, was riding a motorbike. The youth’s bicycle slightly hit the motorbike of the GE member.

As a result, the youth was picked up by the GE military unit member and brought to the Kular Bill Market where he was beaten for three hours in front of the market in full view of other people, said a villager who was an eyewitness of the accident.

After that, Abu Alam was dragged to the GE camp where the Nasaka Area No. 7 camp is located. He was detained there.

Hearing the information, the parents of the victim went to the GE camp, and requested the GE military unit to release their son. Following the request, the youth was released.

A village elder said on condition of anonymity, “It was a minor accident. It is not necessary to give such severe punishment to a young, small boy.”