Kaladan News
Date:
Nasaka Forcibly Extracts Labor and Donation from Rohingya villagers
Maungdaw, October18: Nasaka
forcibly extracts donation and labor from Rohingya
villagers for construction of Buddhist pagoda and temple in Maungdaw
On June 2004, Nasaka (Border Security Force)
authorities have newly established a Natala village
(a model village) named Aung Thaya model
village near Wabag village (Myaw Taung village) of Maungdaw north in
There are two kinds of Natala village,
the first one is for newcomers from
The Natala village was built on the confiscated lands
of the Rohingyas with the forced labor of the
surrounding villages---- such as Wabag (Myaw Taung), Maung Hna Ma, Thet Kai Pyin (Nanda Khali),
Zambonnya(Zinbaingya) of Maungdaw north. Again, these villagers have been forced to
provide forced labor for construction of pagoda and monastery in the same Natala village.
On the other hand, the SPDC authorities have been prohibiting the construction
of non-Buddhist religious buildings. Even a bit of renovation and extension of
religious schools and mosques are not allowed. The Nasaka
is always trying to find ways and means to destroy the religious buildings of
Muslims in Arakan, said a trader who came abroad and
declined to mention his name.
Recently, Nasaka authorities have confiscated some
with yields paddy growing fields from nearby Rohingya
villagers for the Natala villagers. They have to endure it silently without
raising any voice for fear of punishment. The real problem is the total
nonexistence of the rule of law in
One of the farmers whose paddy fields were seized, said, “ I
have 4 acres of paddy lands full of with yields. Of them 3 acres were
confiscated by Nasaka for Natala
villagers, and left only one acre for our family. How can we survive in future?
We lost our farmlands, energy, and everything. Even, we have to pay donation
and forced labor for construction of Buddhist temple and pagoda.”
Under the supervision of the Western Command Commander, the Nasaka
set up 39 model villages in Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung
Townships in Arakan State, western Burma with
Buddhist community from inside and outside of the Arakan
State and even from Bangladesh. It was on 12th December 1999; with
the first batch of Buddhist community consisting of 285 persons of 85 families
was brought to Arakan State from Burma proper, said
an elite from Maungdaw Town.
The Western Command Commander, during the visit to the northern Arakan on 6th October had visited the two “Natala” villages of Inn Kran
Mrying (Buthidaung) and
Aung Thaya (Maungdaw)
and donated TV sets, generators and other items, said a Village PDC member. ##
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