A religious leader was robbed in Maungdaw Township by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) while visiting his relative on a motorcycle on August 20, said a close relative of the victim.

The victim was identified as Hafez Deen Mohamed (21), son of Moulvi Kamal from Saliprang village, Maungdaw Township.

On that day, at about 5 pm, the victim went to Kular Bill village of Maungdaw Township to visit a relative on a motorbike. On the way, he was stopped by six Nasaka personnel, belonging to Salipran Nasaka camp of Maungdaw Township.

After stopping the motorbike, the Nasaka men severely beat him up without any provocation. They even kicked and hit him on the face. They also snatched Kyat 5,000 from his pocket, said a local.  

“It is a insult and dishonour to a religious leader,” said local elder preferring not to be named.

“The young religious leader was beaten up and robbed by the Nasaka,” said a local youth.

The Nasaka’s activities against the Rohingya community in north Arakan is becoming intolerable. But they have no option but to endure the suffering, said a local schoolteacher.

Recently, the Nasaka authorities arrested religious leaders Maulana or Moulvi and Hafezi Quaran on false cases. After arrest, they were tortured and released after taking money, said a businessman.

The Nasaka’s new strategy is to arrest Rohingya people arbitrarily and torture and extort money. This is an effective and successful strategy. In villages of north Arakan, most of well to do families face extortion.

Earlier, the Nasaka arrested Khari Nurul Islam (41), son of Razak Ali of Kunsi Bong village in Maungdaw Township, Maulvi Sidique (22), son of Amin Ullah of Ghori Para village of Balu Khali village Tract, Maungdaw township, and Maulana  Salim (48 ), son of Bodi  Alam, hailing from Done Pike village of Bawli Bazaar area of Maungdaw Township, said a local  villager.