Burma border security force (Nasaka) are photographing Rohingya families without their consent, and in some cases charging them between 2000 to 5000 Kyats (US $2.33 - $5.83) for each household, according to residents. The Nasaka operation in Maungdaw south, Arakan state, started on Jan.4, said one Aley Than Kyaw elder who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“A group of Nasaka personnel went to the Gonjondia village and took photographs of fifty families in the morning. They (families) are compelled to do so.”
Other villagers didn’t cooperate with the Nasaka because they described them as Bengali in the paperwork, instead of Rohingya, according to a village elder who didn’t want his name used.
One commander of the 7th division of the Maungdaw Township Nasaka summoned some of the village administrators and warned them that they must cooperate with the photographing process, according to an aide.
The officer reportedly told the village administrators that “if anyone does not comply with the order, he/she will be punished according to the law”. He also said they will be taking photos of every child over the ages of 5, and every family member must be present in their home at the time of the operation.
One trader who didn’t want their name used said this wasn’t being conducted to provide much needed assistance to Rohingya Muslims but intended to “physically and mentally harass the community after the 2012 June violence”.
