“The security forces arrested 100 Rohingyas and kept them in the outpost station near the bridge. All the (other) Rohingyas on the road were returned to their villages.”

Those arrested were later sent to the police station where they were searched. Although they weren’t carrying any contraband the security forces stole all the money they had on them, said one person from the group.

“When we asked the officers about the charges they didn’t reply. They just treated us like we weren’t even human beings…The officers collected our names and addresses and sent the list to the village administration to verify the information. After this we were released. We had our ID cards and travel documents so why did they need to verify our information with the village administration? We are not outsiders; we have been living in our village for a long time.”

After being released, the villagers went to complain at the township office and district office but were told that they were detained for security reasons, according to the politician.

On the bridge near Nyaung Chaung, on the Maungdaw and Alay Than Kyaw highways, authorities also collected 200 kyats from each person who crossed, 500 kyats from every 3-wheel three taxi and 1000 kyats from each vehicle, according to one motorist.

“Although we complain to the responsible authorities, no action was been taken. Even the district officer and town officer didn’t do anything about the toll fees.”