KALADAN NEWS

Dated: Friday, October 10, 2003.

FIVE ROHINGYAS SENTENCED FOR 7- YEARS JAIL IN BUTHIDAUNG

Buthidaung, Oct. 10: Five Rohingyas of Buthidaung Towship were sentenced 7 years jail each for a little bit extension of Madrasa by the Court No.2 of Buthidaung Town in Arakan State on September 10, 2003, according to a Madrasa teacher, named Mv. Anwar.

All victims hail from Ywet Nyo Taung village of Buthidaung Township and were arrested by Nasaka (Border Security Force) of camp No.21 of Nasaka area No.9 on February 2, 2003 by accusation of for extension of Madrasa (Religious School) without permission of concerned authorities. The arrested persons are Mv Araf Ullah, Mv. Fayas Ahmed, Salamat Ullah, Hafez Ullah (Chairman of Madrasa Committee) and ex-Chairman Mostafa and three other Madrasa teachers named Mv.Nurul Islam, Mv. Shoffi Ullah and he himself, Mv. Anwar fled to Bangladesh to avoid the Nasaka’s arrest, he further added.

One week later, the arrest of Madrasa Committee members, the said Madrasa was completely demolished by the Nasaka of camp No. 21 of Nasaka area No.9, said another Madrasa teacher named Mv.Shoffi Ullah.

The arrested persons were detained at the Nasaka camp No. 21 till June 16, 2003. During this time, foods have been provided from the victims’ homes, but Kyat 500/- has been paid for each time to the gate sentry while the relatives of the victims went to provide foods to the detainees at the Nasaka camp, he further said.

They were detained in the Nasaka camp for two and half months without any query. But, after bribing Kyat 600,000/- to the commander of the Nasaka camp No.21, they have been transferred to the Buthidaung jail to frame their cases, said Mv. N. Islam.

On September 10, 2003, the victims were sent to the Court of Buthidaung Town, where the Magistrate sentenced them 7-years jail each without any proper investigations as a little bit extension of Madrasa for lacking of permission from SPDC authorities and not to comply the order of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), source further added. ##

For further information, please contact:

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile: (+880) 11 227 138