The Stateless Rohingya Blog

M.S. Anwar Op-Ed| RVisionTV.com September 18, 2013 The department of NaSaKa (the border security force in Arakan) was disbanded by the government of Myanmar on 12th July 2013. (My analysis immediately after the abolishment of NaSaKa can be read HERE.) Rohingya people in Arakan became happy thinking that they would have ease and relieves from the much restrictions imposed by NaSaKa. Their happiness proved temporary. Soon, the government of Myanmar announced that a new department called ‘MaKhaPha‘ (can loosely be translated as ‘Illegal Immigration Prevention Group‘) would replace NaSaKa. Rohingyas are afflicted with anxiety and sorrow again. However, the central of Government of Myanmar meant ‘MaKhaPha‘ departmentonly to look after the border affairs. That means that ‘MaKhaPha‘does not have such authority NaSaKa had over Rohingyas as restriction of movement and marriage, control on Rohingya families and population, licensing for their livestocksand other forms of persecution...

The Nasaka headquarters is seen in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) Irrawaddy News: July 16, 2013  RANGOON — A national police battalion has been deployed to Arakan State after the government’s notorious Nasaka border guard force was abolished four days ago, a state government spokesman says. “Police have been stationed in areas where security is a concern to replace the Nasaka,” Myo Than, a secretary for the Arakan State government’s information team, told The Irrawaddy on Monday. He said the border guard force had been stationed in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, which are largely populated by the Rohingya Muslim minority. “The police there have nothing to do with the Arakan State Police but are under a Union-level directorate,” he added. The Nasaka, known officially as the Border Area Immigration Control Headquarters, comprises army and police officers as well as customs and immigration officials. In addition to monitoring Bu...

KPN News July 6, 2013 Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh:  A commander level flag meeting between Burma border security force (Nasaka) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was held at Cox’s Bazar regarding the issue of landmines on July 4, according to BGB source. “They discussed especially the issue of landmines and drug trafficking especially Yaba  smuggling during the meeting. The meeting was held at a rest house nearby beach of BGB at Cox’s Bazar.” According to sources, the members of BGB complained to the delegation of Nasaka that the Burma’s authority had planted landmines along the Bangladesh-border from the border pillars No. 37 to 40 within the distance of 70-100 yards from the Bangladesh border line. Regarding the landmines, the representatives of Nasaka denied it. However, the official level of Bangladesh will make a survey along the border areas very soon, sources said. The Commander of BGB Battalion No. 17, Col.  Muhamad Nuzurul Islam l...

Rohingya subjected to abuse, forced labour, harassment, rape,& Human rights abuses against the Rohingya Community (photo thestateless.com 2011  Maungdaw, Arakan State: The systemic and discriminatory practice of forced labor against the Rohingya community has been resumed recently in Maungdaw south, Arakan State, said a local elder on condition of anonymity. “Burmese concerned authorities —army and Nasaka (Burma border security force) resume forced labor as usual, in Maungdaw Township.” According to sources, Nasaka personnel of Nasaka area No. 7 have been using forced labor from Rohingya people for repairing  roads for three days which were damaged by heavy rain recently. Nasaka personnel arrested Rohingya villagers from the road and villages where they met for forced labor, sources said. A villager said on condition of anonymity, “10 villagers including me are arrested from the Khonza Bill village and from the roadside by the Nasaka personnel on July...

KPN News: June 18, 2013 Maungdaw, Arakan State: There is no security in Rohingya’s properties whether it is moveable or unmovable, in Arakan state. Three cows were picked up by Natala villagers and handed over to their boss Nasaka of Maungdaw south, said a local trader on condition of anonymity. “The cows were picked up by the Natala villagers of Sommona village from the field on June 15, while grazing nearby forest.” Natala villagers frequently picked up the cows of Rohingyas with the help of local Nasaka and extort money. The Natala villagers are being used as pawns by local Nasaka to harass the local Rohingya people in many ways, said a local elder preferring not to be named. Regarding the crimes committed by Natala villagers, the local Rohingya people complained to the concerned local Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) authority, but the Nasaka did not take any action against the Natala villagers. Let them free hand to commit crimes against the Roh...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Commanding officer of Nasaka area number 7, Maungdaw south, has used new tactics to extort money from Rohingya villagers under his commanding area recently, according to a trader on condition of anonymity. “The Nasaka Commanding officer ordered the villagers and village admin officers – have to build toilets and poultry farms inside the Nasaka commander camp.” But, some admin officers are taking advantage of Commander ordered and taking more money from villagers -1500 kyat per rich family and1000 per poor family – and it is very difficult to pay the money by very poor and widow. The collecting are more than to build build toilets and poultry farms inside the Nasaka commander camp.” “Syed Alam, the admin officer of Khonza Bill village is the officer who collected money from everyone who are not able to pay and harassing the villagers for money,” according to villagers. “After conflict, Rohingya community are not able to earn money from their cultur...

Kaladan Press : May 8, 2013 Maungdaw, Arakan State : A group of Nasaka and police have been trying to arrest Rohingya villagers of Hatipara (village) and Zedi Pyin villages of Maungdaw Township on May 6, over the allegation that terrorist group from Bangladesh entered the Maungdaw north, a school teacher from the locality said preferring not to be named. “On that day, at around 6:00 am, a group of Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) numbering in 10, from Nasaka area No.5 led by Major Than Htite Aung and a group of police from Bawli Bazar of Maungdaw north went to the said villages of Hati Para and Zedi Pyin villages of Lone Don village tract under Nasaka area No.5 and surrounded the villages. After that, the security forces tried to arrest villagers over the accusation that a terrorist group from Bangladesh penetrated to Maungdaw Township.” As a result, all the male villagers fled to nearby Mountain to avoid arrest, by Nasaka or police, said a local youth. ...

Maungdaw, Arakan State:  A Maulana (religious leader) was arrested by Nasaka    (Burma’s border security force) on April 15, while he was crossing the Ywet Nyo Daung bridge of Maungdaw north, over the allegation that he was a smuggler, said a close friend of the victim. “The victim was identified as—Maulana Salay Ahmed (32). Son of Noor Ahmed hailed from Wet Pyin village under the Powet Chaung village tract of Nasaka area No.5 of Maungdaw Township.” On that day, in the evening, he went to Kyet Yoe Pyin market after crossing the said village which is situated nearby Nasaka camp No.12. At that time, the Nasaka personnel from the camp halted him from going to market and accused him that he was a smuggler. So he was detained in the camp, said a local businessman. Though the arrestee frequently asked the Nasaka personnel that he is not a smuggler and he is a religious teacher of an Arabic school.  But Nasaka did not take any attention to the arrestee. “It is ...

Local  NaSaKa officers   Maungdaw, Arakan State: Ten Rohingya villagers have been detained in the Nasaka’s custody of Aley Than Kyaw since April 21, said a local trader on condition of anonymity. “Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested them from their village at night on that day after being conducted operation.” The arrestees have been identified as— Ayat Ullah (20), son of Rahim Ullah, Nasir Rahaman (17), son of Kafayed Ullah, Majibur Rahaman (25), son of Asadullah, Zahid Hussain (17), son of Dilu, Md. Yonus (30), son of Deni Islam, Khirul Amin (20), son of Antaz, Abdul Amin (15), son of Abdul Mazid, Rahamat Ullah (20), Moni Ullah, Zamal (15), son of Saley and Fazal.   They all hailed from Dil Para village of Aley Than Kyaw village tract of Nasaka area No.7 under the Maungdaw Township. “Most of them are young villagers,” said a schoolteacher from the locality. According to villagers, a group of Nasaka personnel accompanied by some Natala vi...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) is using new tactics to extort money from Rohingya villagers in Arakan State, said a local villager (Abdu, not real name).  “A group of Nasaka personnel from Shilkhali Nasaka-out-post of Maungdaw south went to Khonza Bill (village) and arrested three villagers over the allegation that they crossed the Burma- Bangladesh border on April 5.” The arrested were identified as— Habib Ullah (40), son of Mohameddu, Tazumuluk (55), son of Mohamed Amin and Jaker (50), son of Abu Shama. They all belong to   Khonza Bill village under Aley Than Kyaw village tract of Maungdaw south. The Nasaka personnel forcibly entered their houses at night after breaking the doors and arrested. After arrest, they were severely beaten up on the spot. It is the normal action by the Nasaka to show their relatives to get money quickly, said a relative of an arrestee. However, they were brought to the Shilkhali Nasaka out- post under ...

Hlun Tin's Sentry Post Maungdaw, Arakan State: More Rohingyas have been facing harassment by Burma border security force (Nasaka) in Maungdaw south as the Nasaka has been arresting arbitrarily Rohingya villagers since March 10, said a local elder. Sayed Ullah (35), son of Mohamed Siddique, hailed from Udaung village was killed by Natala villagers in his betel leaves farm on March 1. The betel leaves farm is near the mountain side not far from Natala village. The Natala villagers frequently stole betel leaves from this betel leaves farm earlier. So the owner, Sayedullah asked them (Natala villagers) not to steal betel leaves from his farm. As a result, when the owner went to his betel farm on March 1, he was brutally killed by the Natala villagers. However, the Nasaka did not arrest the main culprits (Natala villagers), but they arrested the innocent Rohingya villagers and extorted money from them. This event is clear that the Nasaka’s arrest to Rohingya villag...

Group of Rohingya men in the camp near Myebon gather to leave the camp under armed military escort to collect firewood outside the camp. Photo Credit: Christophe Reltien Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested four Rohingya villagers on March 14, with so called arrest warrant for setting on fire  Rakhine’s houses –  false allegation to extort money -  in Maungdaw south during  June, 2012, according to a villager on condition of anonymity. “A group of Nasaka personnel from Nasaka out-post of Khonza Bill, under the Nasaka area number 7, went to the Khonza Bill village tract and arrested them while they were sleeping in their houses at night that day.” The arrested have been identified as Abdu Rahaman (26), son of Fazal Ahamed, Azizur Rahaman (13), son of Habib Ullah, Md. Yahaya (14), son of Salim Ullah and Fondit alias (39), son of Nukmal Hakim, hailed from Khonza Bill village tract of Aley Than Kyaw under the Maungdaw tow...

Maungdaw, Arakan State| More than 60 villagers including village administrators were summoned by the commander of Nasaka area No. 7, yesterday, at about 3:00 pm, said one of the local village Administrator from Aley Than Kyaw. “Villagers were called to the village of Khonza Bill under the Aley Than Kyaw village tract and ordered them not to go out of the houses from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.” In the meeting, the Nasaka commander discussed many different issues with village leaders and administrators regarding the present situation of Arakan State, said an aide of Nasaka. The Nasaka commander told the participants that every villager must have to inform to the concerned authorities, if any relative pays a visit. The officer also told that if there any event happens in a village such as burning houses, it will not be informed to any department. “If anyone doesn’t comply with the order, he/she will be punished according to the law,” the commander added. A participant, ...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma border security force (Nasaka) personnel arrested and kept in detained seven Rohingya villagers on March 4, over allegation of involving in March 1, Rohingya murder- known as Natala murdered, according to a businessman from Alay Than Kyaw.  “The arrested have been identified as--- Yakub (45), son of Erashed, Ataullah (25), son of Yasin, Monu Meah (60), Esa Ali, Md. Younus (20), son of Kalu, Abdul Kader (45), son of Kala Meah, Mohamed Siddik (50), son of Kala and Sayedullah (43), son of Ahar Zaman.  They all hailed from Udaung village of Maungdaw Township.” Two Rohingyas were arrested from the village and others five were arrested from the paddy filed – grow winter paddy where the water is available - by the Nasaka personnel of Nasaka area No. 7 when the villagers were supplying water to their paddy fields in the morning, said a relative of one of the victims. . The arrestees are innocent people and daily workers. ...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Arbitrary squeezing money is being continued in Maungdaw Township by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) from Rohingya villagers, according to a local leader who denied to be named. “On March 2, at about 10:00 pm, a group of Nasaka personnel from camp No. 14, under the Nasaka area No.6 went to Shwe Zaar village of Maungdaw Township and arrested Khaled (22), son of Mostaque Ahmed and Saley Ahmed (32), son of Sultan over the allegation that they were involved in the violence of June 8, 2012. Both of them belong to Shwe Zaar village of Maungdaw north.” “The violence between Rakhine and Rohingya communities was occurred nine months ago. So many Rohingya people were killed, arrested and jailed with this allegation. But, the concerned authorities are still arresting innocent Rohingya villagers to extract money in the guise of maintaining laws and orders.” The Nasaka officer demanded Kyat one million per each from the arrestees to be released. But, ...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: A drug trafficker – police personnel – was arrested by Burma border security force (Nasaka) while going to Akyab by road through Maungdaw- Alay Than Kyaw highway on February 27, according to an officer from Nasaka. “Maung Maung Than, Police Corporal, hired a Rohingya jeep for transferring his household items to Akyab through the highway of Maungdaw- Alay Than Kyaw where the Nasaka searched him and the jeep by getting information about drug trafficking. The Nasaka from area number 7 found huge amount of Yaba tablets inside his house hold items.”   “The Nasaka personnel from area number 7, investigated the police corporal in their commanding office where the Maung Maung Than confessed, he and other two Rakhine are involved in drug trafficking. The Nasaka arrested also the two Rakhines where the filed a case in Maungdaw police station for drug trafficking.”   The drug (Yaba) will drop on the road to Akyab to traffic the drug to Banglades...

 Photo: Zee Bin Chaung(Sommoinnya) Source Mayu Press: February 20th, 2013 By Mohamed Farooq Some teams of Nasaka personnel entered the houses of Rohingya on 19.02.2013 night around 11 PM in Du Tan, Northern Maungdaw for family members checking way. Nasaka tied up with Nylon ropes to all respective males who are fathers and husbands of victims. In front of guardians (i.e. father or husband of victims), Nasaka gang rape females which caused them fatal affect to be alive. They also tortured severely both females and males. Today morning, the guardians went to complain the case about rapes to the officers of Nasaka. The authorities beat up and arrest the guardians instead of taking action to those Nasaka who committed rape last night. This is the life of Rohingya inside Arakan.  Security Forces like Nasaka, Lun Tinn (Paramilitary), Police, Sarapa (Intelligent Police) and Army can do anything anytime to Rohingya as there is no action against them.  T...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Two Rohingya girls-sisters- were ganged raped by Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) on February 18, at Ludaing village Maungdaw, according to a village Admin from Maungdaw Town on condition of anonymity. “The two sisters were raped by a group of Nasaka personnel from Nasaka area No.5, in front of their mother yesterday, at about 10:00 pm in the house while their father was not present in the house.” The victims were identified as Begum (18), not real name  and Shamima (14), not real name (14), daughters of Ali ( not real name), hailed from Ludaing village of Maungdaw north. A group of Nasaka personnel from Loungdon out post under Nasaka area number 5, went to the victims’ house to arrest their father –not in the house at that time – on February 18 and taking advantage of his absent, the security personnel forcibly ganged rapped the two sisters in front their mother and tried to attempt to rape the victims’ mother, but failed for her resistan...

Horible Bridge(Dagyi Zarr-Yekay Chaung Kwarr Sone)-photo 2013 Maungdaw, Arakan State:  Two Rohingya women had defended Burmese border security force (Nasaka) and Natala (new settlers) who entered their homes at night, while looting their ornaments on February 14, according to a villager elder from Ngakhura village. “The Nasaka personnel from Ngakhura outpost under the Nasaka area number 5 with together Natala villagers went to Ngasaku (Naisapru) village at night, entered Rohingyas’ homes to loot valuables while male Rohingyas were out of village for fear of arrest.” The Nasaka and Natala villagers entered some Rohingya homes where the two Rohingya women had defended while the security force tried to snatch the gold ornaments from their bodies till they become serious wounded. At last, the Nasaka and Natala villagers toke away their ornaments, said a relative of victims. The Nasaka and Natala looted the houses of; – Alizuhar, Md. Rafique,...

a Rohingya man killed by Rakhine terrorist, photo 2012 Maungdaw, Arakan State:  Four Rohingya villagers who were arrested on February10 were killed in the local Nasaka camp for severe torturing in the camp on February 12 , said a relative of the victims. “The victims were identified as— Nazir Hussain (35), Ms Hansoma  Khatun (30), Amir Salim (30), and Nadu (50). They all belong to Ludine village of Loung Don village tract of Maungdaw Township.” Females were also arrested in the absent of their husbands, sons and brothers in the house. Many Rohingya villagers (not known exact figure) were arrested by security forces-Nasaka and police- from Loung Don village tract of Maungdaw north regarding the killing of one Rakhine man and three others wounded  on February 10, by unknown criminals,  said a local elder on condition of anonymity. But, the dead bodies were not handed over to their parents or relatives and were buried to unk...