Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burmese Police Department has opened a special investigation cell to monitor human trafficking in Maungdaw district last month, said a police source.

But, the office started functioning this month, he said.

The officer-in-charge called Arakanese Rohingya from villages near the town and asked about their family members who are aboard. Following the investigation, the officer demanded a huge amount of money from them to close the file, he added.

The officer-in-charge is Sub-Inspector Aung Saw and the Assistant Sub-Inspector is San Aung. There are five other policemen in the office.

The office is located in Myoma Kanyintan (Shida para) near the residence of the District Peace and Development Council (DPDC) chairman.

SI Aung Saw summoned the Arakanese Rohingya, whose relatives had left for Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Bangladesh among other countries.  

“In Maungdaw, only Arakanese Rohingyas go aboard not other ethnic groups. Why were only Rohingyas summoned by the human trafficking office,” asked a woman whose husband is working in Malaysia.

“This office will be good for people, if the officers can prevent actual human trafficking and not harass people,” said a teacher.