Nasaka officers (Burma’s border security force) claiming to have a search warrant arrested four Rohingya villagers – 2 of which were children – under allegations of torching Rakhine homes during sectarian violence that erupted last June in Arakan state, Myanmar. But according to a villager that didn’t want their name used, the officers that arrested the men on March 14 in southern Maundgdaw were just trying to extort money.
“A group of Nasaka personnel from Nasaka outpost in Khonza Bill, (Nasaka area 7), went to the Khonza Bill village tract and arrested them while they were sleeping in their houses at night,” said the villager.
Those arrested have been identified as Abdu Rahaman, 26; son of Fazal Ahamed, Azizur Rahaman, 13; son of Habib Ullah, Md. Yahaya, 14; son of Salim Ullah and Fondit ,39; son of Nukmal Hakim, all from Khonza Bill village tract in Aley Than Kyaw.
The men were detained at the Nasaka’s outpost where they were severely beaten, according to a relative of one of the accused who didn’t want their name used.
“They were released after paying money to the Nasaka officers on March 16,” said the relative.
Since February of this year, many other Rohingya villagers hailing from Khonza Bill have suffered the same fate at the hands of Nasaka officers from Area 7. According to locals, if they have enough money they can buy their way out of jail.
