Fishermen are being forced to pay more taxes in Maungdaw, a fisherman in the district said.

The new taxes are being collected by the Burmese border security force, Nasaka, from the last week of August on the orders of the area commander, Major Kyaw Aung of area number 6, the fisherman said.

“We paid 10,000 Kyats for licenses to the authorities for one year and 70,000 Kyat for operating on Naff River to an agent. Now, we are giving one gallon of petrol worth 6000 Kyats a month,” the fisherman added.

The fishermen operating on the Naff River are using tiger month (Kyapazat in Burmese). The outpost camp of Nasaka located on the bank of the river always ask them to supply fish whenever they go out to sea. If the fishermen fail to supply fish they are beaten up by the Nasaka, said a fish broker in Maungdaw.

“The fishermen don't get fish every day, so it is difficult for them to pay taxes imposed recently,” he added

Beside these taxes, the fishermen have to pay a further 2000 Kyats to the village authorities for recommendation letters, the fish broker said.

All the fishermen are Arakanese Rohingyas, and most of them are victimized by the authorities and their agents.