Maungdaw, Arakan State: Forty boat people are ready to leave for Malaysia from Arakan State. The group, which is made up of some more Rohingyas and Bengalis from Bangladesh, will leave for Malaysia after Eid festival, said a trader in Maungdaw on condition of anonymity.

On September 27, about 40-Rohingya from Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships of Arakan State crossed the Burma-Bangladesh border to go to Malaysia. Traffickers took them to an unknown destination in the Teknaf area. Their engine boat is idling in Teknaf border.

The traffickers collected Kyat 500,000 per head, of which Kyat 300,000 has to be paid to Major Win Tin of the Nasaka area No. 6 for the touts to get the necessary cooperation from local authorities.

The traffickers have been identified as Md. Ismail (40), son of Jahid Hussain, Maulana Sayed Ahmed (35), son of Abul Hussain and Md. Ayas (35), son of Deen Mohamed. They all hail from Poung Zaar (Ashika Para) in Maungdaw Township.

The traffickers reside in Bangladesh and mobilize boat people from Arakan State and   Bangladesh. They intend to mobilize more people from Bangladesh for taking them to Malaysia.  Now they are sheltered in a safe place due to inclement weather and rough seas. When the weather turns favorable, they will proceed on their journey, said a fisherman from Shapuri Dip.

Many boat people were arrested in Burma, Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka early this year. It has become imperative to stop human trafficking, said a Rohingya woman from Bangladesh, who lost her son in this process.