Maungdaw, Arakan State: A Mosque was destroyed by Burma’s Border security force (Nasaka) on January 5, at Maungdaw Township, said a religious leader on condition of anonymity.
“This mosque was built in Barsara village, under the Nasaka area No. 8 of Maungdaw Township in 2011, after getting necessary documents from the concerned authorities.”
At first, the Barsara village was situated at the sea beach of Bay of Bengal; but this village was forcibly transferred to a mountain side in 2010 and 2011. It has 80 houses and two mosques. In 2010, the Nasaka transferred 40 houses to a Mountan adjacent and then in 2011, another 40 houses were also transferred to the same mountain side, according to a local leader.
After transferring all the villagers to a new village, they built on mosque for the new Barsara village instead of two mosques after acquiring necessary documents from the concerned authorities, the local more added.
However, on December 5, in the morning, a group of Nasaka from Inn Din Nasaka camp went to the new Barsara village and destroyed the “Belaro mosque” without giving any advanced warning to the villagers. After building, it was named “Belaro Mosque”, said a local trader.
The size of the mosque is 10 yards in length, 5 yards in width and 3.5 yards in height.
“A village elder said that the government looks us with bad temper. They are always trying to uproot and destroy us.”
Besides, on December 3, the District Administration officer, the Township administration officer of Maungdaw town went to Khadir Bill village, Khair Para, and Kolaba village and locked all the mosques. Earlier, less than five people are permitted to go to the mosque to say five prayers, said a local religious leader who denied to be named.
Source KPN:
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