Maungdaw, Arakan State: On March 6, Natala (model) villagers of Aung Thaya Natala village of Maungdaw Township stole cows from a Rohingya villager in Maungdaw Township, said a local elder on condition of anonymity.

The owner of the cow is Sayed Alam (55), son of Boshatar Ali of Nari Bill (west) village of Maungdaw Township.

Two cows were stolen by Natala villagers of Aung Thaya, at about 1 am, from a cowshed.

A Rohingya villager learnt of the theft from Sayed Alam, and he immediately informed the villagers. Villagers chased the Natala villagers, who fled leaving the cows.

Early in the morning, Nasaka personnel from Nari Bill Nasaka outpost camp went to the owner and took away the two cows and demanded money. At, present, the cows are in the Nasaka camp.

“Instead of arresting the thieves, the Nasaka brought the cows to their camp and demanded money from the owner. Is this justice?” asked a trader.

On April 2, at around 10 pm, Natala villagers from the same Natala village stole three cows from Abdu Samat of Pawet Chaung village Tract of Maungdaw Township.

The Natala village is situated not far from the Nasaka Headquarters of Kawar Bill, so all the activities are known to Nasaka Director Lt. Col Aung Gyi. There is no action against the Natala villagers, complained a local school teacher

It is learnt that Nasaka Director went to Taung Bazaar village tract, about 10 miles north of Buthidaung town on March 5, and asked Nasaka and police officers not to harass villagers by arresting and extorting money. “The Director also said that it is a very important time with elections around the corner,” said an aide of Nasaka from Buthidaung Town.

“The Natala villagers have been lifting cows, stealing vegetables, robbing Rohingya villagers without fear as they get support from the local authorities. They are in small numbers in northern Arakan so why do they commit crimes against the Rohingya community? Is there any nexus between Natala villagers and the authorities?”  asked a village elder.