Kaladan News 

Dated-July 28, 2003, Mon

A VPDC Chairman Arrested for Second Marriage

Buthidaung, July 28: On June 15, 2003, a Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) Chairman named Imam Hussain, 50, was arrested by the Nasaka- Border Security Force- camp No. 21 of Nasaka Area No. 9 of Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, for the cause of second marriage, said a relative of the victim to our source.

The said VPDC Chairman hails from Wari Young (Say Oh Kya) Village of Buthidaung Township, at about 80 miles north of Sittwe. Though he has first wife, on June 12, he has married another girl named Komsoma Khatun, 21, daughter of Omar Sultan at the same village without permission of concerned Nasaka authority, he further added.

On June 15, regarding this matter, the said VPDC Chairman was called by the Nasaka and detained him in the their camp because of marriage without permission of the concerned authority, said another villager to our source.

“It is very strange for us, as the marriage restriction is not imposed to any other community in Burma. Since 1999, there were some formalities have been imposed on Rohingya community, intending to marry. The bridegroom has attained the age of 20 and the bride18. Not more than three children and the bridegroom can take no more wives. Now, the new couple has to pay about Kyat- 50,000 to 100,000/- to SPDC authorities to get the permission,” told our source by a village elder preferring not to mention his name.

Although the Nasaka demanded Kyat 5,000,000/-(Kyat 5 million) for his release, he was set free on June 24, 2003, after giving Kyat- 3,000,000/-(Kyat-3 million) to the concerned authority, said another relative of the victim to our correspondent. ##