Maungdaw, Arakan State: Nasaka Burma’s border security force is now adopting a new tactic to extort money from villagers in Maungdaw Township, said a businessman from Maungdaw town on condition of anonymity.
Nasaka is using some local collaborators and providing them with Yaba tablets or mobile phones to put it secretly in houses of some wealthy villagers for them to be arrested on false accusation. Through collaborators, it has collected a list of villagers who are well off and able to pay when they are arrested or threatened.
For instance, on May 13, Moulvi Md Juher (35) son of Moulvi Mohamed from Paung Zaar village of Maungdaw Township was arrested by Nasaka personnel of Paung Zaar outpost of Nasaka area No.6 on the allegation that he was involved in drug trafficking (especially in Yaba tablets), said a local trader.
After arrest, the Maulvi was brought to the Nasaka camp, and asked to pay Kyat two million to be freed. But, he refused to pay as he was innocent.
A close relative of the victim said, “The two Nasaka’s collaborators Md. Alam, son of Md Islam and Md. Ayas, son of Dil Mohammed put some Yaba tablets in his house at night.”
The arrested is still in Nasaka custody for refusing to pay.
Similarly, on April 23, Nurul Alam, son of Quila Meah from Labaw Zarr (Bokshu Para) village of Nasaka area No. 6 was also arrested by the Nasaka personnel of Labaw Zarr outpost camp on the allegation that he was using a Bangladeshi mobile phone. He was brought to the Nasaka camp and detained for four days. He was released after paying Kyat two million. A mobile phone was put in his house at night secretly by the Nasaka collaborators Shalam and Abdu Shukur, the present VPDC member and notorious Ayas. When the Nasaka searched his house for mobile phones, they also found a golden sculpture which was a heirloom from his grandfather, said a local schoolmaster.
On May 14, Md Haroon (28), son of Sham Shu from Ward No. (5), was arrested by a Nasaka Captain along with four other Nasaka personnel of Maungdaw exit and entry point at about 4 pm while he was having tea in Maungdaw town on the allegation that he was involved in drug trafficking. He was asked to pay Kyat 3 million to be released. But, he, refused to pay money as he was not involved. He is still detained in the Nasaka camp, said a local youth.
A village elder said, “All the wealthy Rohingya villagers are accused in false and fabricated charges by the authorities. How will the Rohingya villagers survive?”
