Maungdaw, Arakan State: Nasaka, Burma's security force seized Iftar items worth Kyat 3,500,000 (3.5 million) from villagers when they were carrying it to their village after buying in Maungdaw Town on August 26, said a schoolteacher. 

The holy month of Ramadan (month of fasting for the Muslims) began on September 2 as the Ramadan moon was sighted in Burma on September 2. Therefore, Muslims across the country prepare Iftar items in the evening to break their fast after sunset.

For preparing Iftar people use  green chilli, aubergine, onion,  cucumber, lemon,  puffed rice, local chickpea , sugar,  molasses,  and fruits like dates,  oranges and Semi (vermicelli).

A group of villagers from Inn Din Village in Maungdaw Township including mosque committee members went to Maungdaw on August 26 and bought chickpea, edible oil, onion, sugar, vermicelli, ground nut worth Kyat 3.5 million.  After buying these items, they were returning to their village by car when the goods were seized by the Nasaka commander of Nasaka camp No. 18 of Nasaka area No. 8.

The mosque committee members collected money from the villagers and bought these Iftar items for distribution to the poor villagers and to provide Iftari to the prayers who go to the mosque to break their fast.   But the Nasaka commander did not pay any attention to the villagers and seized all the goods.

Nasaka's main policy is to harass the Rohingya community any time and anywhere, said a village elder on condition of anonymity.