KALADAN NEWS

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2003

ARMY LOOTING GOODS FROM PASSENGERS AND TRAVELERS

Buthidaung, October 15: Since September last week, 2003, Burmese army have been looting goods from the passengers and travelers in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State while crossing army check-posts, said a trader to Kaladan Press.

An army out-post of Battalion No.564 was recently established on the eastern bank of Mayu River nearby the Maung Nama Palay Daung village of Buthidaung Township. The duty armed forces of out-post, checked all the passengers of boats, sampans and punts, which are plying through the river and loot goods such as kerosene, edible oil, potatoes, medicine, fertilizer, sugar, pulses and etc, source further added.

Similarly, another army check-post of Battalion No.234 was established nearby Laway Dak Bridge, which is the main cross-point of upper Buthidaung. So, many people have to cross the bridge daily. The soldiers, who are on duty at the check-post, also looting the aforesaid goods from the passengers, said another trader from Buthidaung.

On October 12, 2003, the looting matter was raised to the Western Command Commander Brig. Gen. Maung Oo by the village Chairmen and Secretaries, while the General was in a meeting at Sayadaw U Uthama Hall of Buthidaung Township and they also apprised that all the victims are Muslims but the other communities are exempted, he further added.

Regarding this, the Western Command Commander said, “ If the victims are indigenous people, the culprits have to be punished and/or will be dismissed from their services according to their volume of crimes. Unless the victims are indigenous people, it will not be necessary to draw any attention,” said a Chairman who was participated in the meeting.

When asked again that there are only two communities (Rakhine and Rohingya) are living in our area. Are they not indigenous people? The Commander replied that it is not concerned to me, but to the Immigration Department, he added. ##

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