Kaladan News

Dated: Thursday, December 09, 2004

Over 165 Rohingya University Students Deprived of Appearance in their Supplementary Exams: As Denied Issuing their Travel Documents by SPDC Authority:

Maungda, December 09: Over 165 Rohingya University students were deprived of appearance in their supplementary examinations as they were denied issuing their travel documents to go to Sittwe by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) authority, said a parent of a student of Maungdaw town who preferred not to mention his name because of security reason.

Of them, 60 correspondence (Distance) students and over 105 regular day students of Sittwe University were denied issuing their travel documents to go to Sittwe by Maungdaw District Peace and Development Council (DPDC) Chairman Major Ran Myu Aung, he further added.

The 60 distance students of Sittwe University had been frantically trying to go to Sittwe to appear the supplementary examinations which are due to be held on 6^th October 2004. Besides, moreover 105 regular day students had also to appear supplementary examinations on December 01, 2004, the father further said.

These two groups of Rohingya students were denied issuing their travel documents to go to Sittwe by DPDC Chairman of Maungdaw District. The reason given was that the DPDC Chairman was directed not to make any decision without the knowledge of the Western Command Commander Brig. General Maung Oo based in Ann town, Arakan State, said a University student who declined to give his name.

To their utter frustration and dismay, the Rohingya students could not make their way to Sittwe in time and they may surely fail en masse in the examination losing a whole academic year of study. The Rohingya students of Arakan State will have ultimately given a big price after the leadership change in Rangoon, Burma, the student more added.

Soon after the arrest of Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, Nasaka( Burmese-Border Security Force) could not issue travel documents anymore but the DPDC Chairman has been exercising in Maungdaw district, said another student.

Because of several travel restrictions Rohingya Muslims are still facing enormous difficulties. Especially, Rohingya students face travel ban to pursue education. For higher education, they need to go to Arakan State capital Sittwe or State capital Rangoon. The ordinary Rohingua Muslims can hardly think of going to Sittwe where as Rohingy students are somehow allowed to travel under special consideration. But, the authorities are very hesitant to give permission. Previously, all Rohingya students were to get special travel permission from Nasaka Headquarters under very much humiliating conditions, he further added. ##

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