Maungdaw: A Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) official arrested three Muslim villagers in southern Maungdaw Township on the western Burma border on false accusations for bribes, a relative of the men said.

Speaking to Narinjara over telephone, he said, "They were arrested by Nasaka outpost commander U Win Swe on 20 July, on false accusations that they were communicating with outsiders staying in Middle East countries."

U Win Swe is the commander in-charge of the Kodan Goke Village outpost in southern Maungdaw Township. He reportedly asked for bribes to the tune of two million Kyat from the family of the men for their release.

"Three Muslim villagers - Soli Mular, Abdul Shin, and Soya Mouk - are being detained at the outpost of Kodan Goke because their families could not meet the commander's demands," he said.

The family members are now collecting money by selling their cattle and borrowing money from wealthier families to pay the Nasaka commander to secure their release.

"If we can pay the bribe to the Nasaka official, he will release our relatives immediately. If not, the Nasaka official could transfer them to a police station on false charges. So we are looking for money to give the Nasaka officer because we are worried about what might happen to them," he added.

It is common for Nasaka officials to extort bribes in such a manner, and many villagers near Kodan Goke outpost, including Aung Bala, Sin Byke, Don Byke, and Shin Kali are facing this problem daily.

Farmers in the area are also facing trouble as they have to pay 5,000 Kyat as compensation to Nasaka forces if their cattle enter the Nasaka compound located beside the pasture.