Two separate motorcycle accidents that happened in Maungdaw clearly illustrate how state authorities apply the law differently based on one’s religion or ethnicity.
When 3 Natala villagers (resettled Rakhines or Burmans) were seriously hurt in an accident that happened on June 22 while travelling from Udaung to Aley Than Kyaw, Nasaka (Burma’s border guard force) immediately brought them to the government hospital.
But when 2 Rohingyas were also in an accident on the same highway the next day Nasaka arrested both men and made them bribes before being released.
The Natala were treated fairly, but the Rohingyas were arrested and ended up having to buy their way out of jail. The recent accidents show how Nasaka exploit Rohingyas’ stateless position in order to extort money.
“They are both human being but the law was not applied evenly,” said one Rohingya elder from Maungdaw.
