Maungdaw, Burma: A clash occurred between Burma's border security force (Nasaka) and villagers who were watching their betel vine on December 12 near the foot of the hill in Maugdaw Township, Arakan State, said one of the relatives of betel vine grower.

On December 12 a section of Nasaka personnel from the Nasaka headquarters of Gyikan Pyin of Maungdaw Township went on a patrol at mid night, and reached the betel vine yards of the villagers while the villagers were watching their betel vine to prevent theft by Natala (Model) villagers. The betel vine watchers numbering 12 threw stones at the Nasaka believing that they were Natala villagers trying to steal betel leaves.

This was a day after the incident between Natala villagers and betel vine watchers, on December 11. On that day at about 1 pm, a group of Natala villagers from Aung Zaya Natala village went to the betel vine yards to steal betel leaves, but the betel vine watchers drove them away by throwing stones at them.

The Nasaka personnel warned the watchers that they would shoot in the air. The betel watchers (Rohingya villagers) ran away leaving an elderly watcher. The Nasaka went to the huts and arrested the elder and tortured him severely. He was taken to the Nasaka camp.

The arrested person was identified as Hassan (55) son of Bozor Meah, from Wabeg village in the Kawarbill village tract.

After a while, the betel watchers went to the Nasaka headquarters and informed the concerned authority about the incident.

Hassan was released on December 13 and there was no action against the villagers (betel watchers).

A village elder said that some of the villagers of Wabek and Maung Nama grow betel vine near the hill to earn money to support their families. But, frequently, the Natala villagers who were brought from Burma proper and settled there steal betel leaves from the betel yards.  So, the villagers have to watch their betel yards day and night.