Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) Commander Major Thu Rin Zaw is collecting funds from villagers to build a road to connect Rwangyadaung (Ywetnyotaung) village to Nanchaung ( Nganchaung) village of Maungdaw Township, said a local elder on condition of anonymity.

The commander is from Nasaka area No. 5 of Maungdaw Township.  A section of Nasaka personnel from camp No.12 has been collecting money from villagers since October 19.

The money is being collected from 12 villages of Nasaka area No.5. A village, depending on its size has to pay Kyat 1.5 to 1.8 million to the Nasaka.

The road is only three miles long connecting Nasaka camp No.12.

Villagers believe that the money will be pocketed by Nasaka and the road will be made with forced labour of nearby villagers. They have the money to develop the road, but they do not spend it in construction, said a businessman from the locality.

Villagers are facing difficulties in paying the money as they have no income. In this situation, forcible collection of money from the villagers is intolerable, said a local trader requesting not to be named.