Arakan state border police (Hluntin) beat a Rohingya fisherman to death on Tuesday, according to friend Mohamod.
Zahid Alam, 39; son of Abdul Hakhim, from Ngasagru village in Maungdaw north was fishing with a group on the banks of Pruma creek when approached by the Hluntin. When the police started shouting a chase ensued. Everyone managed to escape except Zahid Alam. One of the fishermen told Kaladanpress that he suspected the police frustrated with the rest of them getting away took out their anger on Alam.
The victim’s corpse was taken to the Hluntin’s camp. When Zahid Alam’s family asked for the body to be returned for a proper burial, the police warned them not to report the killing. They also told them the burial has to be within their area of control. They made them sign a blank piece of paper before returning the body, according to one of Zahid Alam’s relatives.
His body was finally laid to rest the day after his death in the graveyard near his village.
Zahid Alam left behind his wife, three daughters and two sons. With the loss of beloved husband and father they now have to fend for themselves.
The Rohingya community in Maungdaw and Buthidaung are treated like animals by the security forces that are allowed to kill them with impunity.
The authorities are trying to systematically reduce the Rohingya population by either killing them, or force them out of the area using harassment, extortion, property theft and outlawing and controlling all religious and social activities, said a Maungdaw politician that requested anonymity.