A Maulana (religious leader) was arrested by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) on August 10, in Maungdaw Township on the allegation that he had connections with exiled political parties, said a local elder.

The victim was identified as Maulana Salim (48), son of Bodi Alam, hailing from Don Pike village of Bawli Bazaar area of Maungdaw Township.  He is a teacher of Lound Don village Madrasa of Maungdaw Township.

The Maulana was arrested by the Nasaka personnel of Bawli Bazaar Nasaka camp while on his way to home from the Madrasa after teaching in the evening. It was alleged that he was involved with exiled political parties, said a relative of the victim.

The Maulana was taken to the Nasaka camp where he was severely tortured for a confessional statement. He was put under water for a long stretches making it difficult to breathe.

Besides, he was forced to give a statement that four other villagers of Don Pike village were also involved with exiled anti-government parties. These villagers are well to do in the village, and the Nasaka will get money after arrest and torture.

However, the Maulana was released on August 20, after paying Kyat 1.2 million. Later, the four other villagers were also arrested by the Nasaka and they extorted Kyat 4.5 million from them, said a local businessman who declined to be named.

In northern Arakan, the basic rights and freedom of the Rohingya community are under severe restriction.

A local schoolteacher said, “The victim is a good villager who is only involved in teaching in a Madrasa school.”

Recently, the authorities targeted religious leaders to extort money and to harass them, said a local trader preferring not to be named.