Update News of Northern Arakan State July 9, 2012

Natala and security forces destroy Holly Qurans, religious books and vandalize religious school

Thayet Gonetan (Sairkongbow) Madrasa (Religious school) of Maungdaw Township had been vandalized by Natala villagers accompanied by security forces today at about 12:30pm, according to an elder from village.

“Seven security forces accompanied by 50-Natala villager from Sairkongbow Natala village went to the said Madrasa and destroyed all Holly Qurans and Hadith books which were thrown to the water and Maungdaw-Aley Thankyaw road after tearing up all the books.”

The religious school has nearly 400 students, but they went to their homes since June 8 after closing the madrasa, said a religious teacher.

“The Natala villagers took away all the beds of the students and 4,200- kg rice from the Madrasa, which is stored for the boarding students. The Madrasa is established on the eastern side of Maungdaw- Aley Than Kyaw road and the Rohingya village is established on the western side of the road. Seeing the security forces, villagers did not dare to go there for giving protection.”

Update news in Maungdaw

Police officer U Than Tin accompanied by some police and some local Rakhine goons went the house of Rafique, hailed from Ward No. 5 of Maungdaw Town, at about 11:00 am today and looted gold, money and other valuables, which cost nearly kyat 30 million. They also destroyed the jeep of Rofique.

The police officer also destroyed five Rohingya shops with the help of police and local Rakhine goons and took away all the goods, which will cost Kyat 100 million. The shop owners are identified as two brothers Yasin and Ismail, sons of Osman from Pandawpin village.

The police also went to Khari Para of Maungdaw town and looted goods from some of the houses and the Nasaka accompanied by Rakhine youths took away goats from Washa Para of Maungdaw south, today.

The Nasaka is using a new tactic to arrest Rohingya youths by checking the family lists. As a result, Rohingya youths are not able to stay at homes and passing nights without sleeping. Almost, Rohingya youths do not appear in front of the Nasaka to avoid arrest and so they are canceled from the family list.

The Rakhine community of Maungdaw north has been hoisting Rakhine religious flag in every house since yesterday.

Rathedaung Township:

Sayed Alam (30), son of Fazal Rahaman and Sultan Ahmed (35), son of Rashid Ahmed were tortured to death by the army on July 7 because of entering mosque for prayer.

Buthidaung Township:

About 700 Rohingya prisoners are languishing in Buthidaung jail, who were recently arrested by Nasaka police, army and Hluntin during the sectarian riots. They are tortured everyday and have no clothes for taking bath. No one is allowed to visit them.

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