Day 2 Updates: Rohingya and Population Census in Arakan

  31st March 2014

1- Maungdaw Township, Arakan State

Military Torture Rohingya in Northern Maungdaw for Refusing to Accept ‘Bengali’

A group of Military, Security Force and Census Enumerators entered a small Rohingya quarter in the village of Tha-Man-Thar (Shaab Bazaar) northern Maungdaw around 8:00AM today. It has around 30 households. They called out all Rohingya members of the quarter and gathered them in one place. They inquired Rohingyas of their ethnicity. Rohingyas replied ‘Rohingya.’ Upon that, the military and the security threatened and forced them to accept to accept ‘Bengali.’ Rohingyas refused to do it.

Compilation: Recent Atrocities against Rohingya in Maungdaw

MYARF and Sindhi Khan Report

1^st April 2014

1- Two Rakhine (Magh) Extremists Torch a Rohinngya House

Around 1:30PM on 30^th March 2014, two Rakhine extremist youths, on a vehicle, entered the village of Thaung-Paing-Nya (Sommon-Nya) of southern Maungdaw. They fled as soon as they were able to hurl two balloons with fire-causing chemical powder inside at the rooftop of the house belongs to Shariff Hussain (son of) Jamal Hussain. It caused fire at the house. The villagers came altogether to extinguish the fire. So, the house only got burnt partially.

Security Force Stone MSF Office in Maungdaw

CR Report

30^th March 2014

Maungdaw, Arakan- Three Security Force (HlunHtein) personnel threw stones at MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) Office at the village of Myoma Kayintan (Shidda Fara), Maungdaw, around 4AM today (30^th March 2014).

Updates on the Process of Population Census in Arakan State, Myanmar

MYARF Report

30^th March 2014

-According to an AFP report yesterday (29^th March 2014), Myanmar Government Spokeperson, U Ye Htut, said the government would not allow Muslims in Myanmar to register as Rohingya. However, it turned to be a blatant lie and conspiracy together with local media to discourage Rohingyas. Reliable sources say President Thein Sein didn't discuss on that topic as he was having a meeting with different political parties in Yangon yesterday.

Alarming: Dire Situation of Displaced Rohingyas Post Ousting International NGOs

Ro Myochit 

29^th March 2014

Sittwe (Akyab), Arakan- The government-backed marauding Rakhine mobs attacked International NGOs and Humanitarian workers and forced them out of Arakan state last Thursday. Besides, they vandalized residentials of the NGO workers, their offices and other related infrastructures. According to some reliable sources, some government forces in civilian uniforms, acting on the instructions by the higher authority, also attacked and destroyed the International NGO offices.

'Rohingya' Ethnic Identity in Jeopardy as Population Census Around the Corner

By M.S. Anwar (based on the reports by MYARF)

Analysis

Saturday, 29^th March 2014

Foreign aid workers-arrive in Yangon’s airport after flying in from Sittwe where mobs have been rampaging through streets (Photograph Gemunu Amarasinghe- AP) 

Nationwide Population Census in Myanmar is all set to take place tomorrow (i.e. on 30^th March 2014). However, the ethnic identity of 'Rohingya' people is still in jeopardy. The census is supposed to take place simultaneously all over Myanmar starting on tomorrow morning. But it seems that Rakhine (Magh) authority in Arakan state is all out to force them accept an unrelated term 'Bengali' as their ethnic identity. It will enable Rakhine (Magh) extremists, in longer term, to legally brand an image 'illegal intruders' and to make their blantant accusations against 'Rohingya' seem true.

Warningshots Exchanged Between Myanmar Security Force and Rakhine Terrorists

By MYARF

28^th March 2014

Maungdaw, Arakan- Around 3AM on 28^th March 2014, there were warningshots exchanged between Myanmar Security Force (Hlun Htein) and Rakhine (Magh) terrorists at the village of Aung Bala, Maungdaw. It took place as the Security Force attempted to prevent the terrorists from advancing towards a nearby Rohingya village called Shwe Zar (Shujah).

Rohingya in Northern Arakan Fear of Arson Attacks by Rakhine Terrorists

MYARF Report

28^th March 2014

Northern Maungdaw, Arakan- Local Rohingyas in northern Maungdaw confirm that many Bengali Rakhines (Maghs) with lethal weapons have crossed the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and sneaked into Maungdaw. They are now staying in Rakhine villages and No. 10 Regional Security Camps in northern Maungdaw.

Rakhine Extremists Terrorize INGOs in Sittwe

Ro Myo Chit and Aung Min Khant

27th March 2014

Sittwe (Akyab), Arakan- “Some Rakhine (Magh) staffs of Malteser International [an International (Humanitarian) Non-Governmental Organization-INGO originated to Germany] office based at Kyaung Htet Hlan Quarter in Sittwe (Akyab) attached Buddhist Religious Flags on a vehicle belongs to the NGO. A Malteser International Staff, an Amrican citizen, removed the flag from the vehicle. Hence, Rakhine staffs started quarreling with her saying that they attached the flag as a symbol of their boycott against the population census in Arakan state. She replied “after a period of 30 years, a population census on par with international standard is to be carried out with the help of UN. Please cooperate in it instead of boycotting.” Hence, the dissatisfied Rakhine extremists spread a false news that she (the staff) insulted the religious flag by putting it on her waist. Therefore, Police from No.1 Police station of Sittwe arrested and detained the accused the staff.

Breaking News: Rohingya Shops in Dudan, Northern Maungdaw, Set Ablaze

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

26^th March 2014

Northern Maungdaw, Arakan- Around 3AM on 26^th March 2014, Rohingya shops at the market of village of Dudan (Ludain), northern Maungdaw, were set ablaze apparently by two unidentified Rakhine extremists. It has been reported that seven shops have burnt to ashes to till date. Many other shops have also been partially destroyed.

Rakhine Authority Sabotage Rohingyas’ Right to Choose their Ethnic Name

Report by Sindhi Khan/MYARF | Written by M.S. Anwar

26^th March 2014

Maungdaw, Arakan- Myanmar Immigration Minister U Khin Yi has said Rohingyas have the right to choose their ethnic name as they wish in the forthcoming population census nationwide. Besides, he has also urged Rohingya elders and seniors to organize Rohingya people to actively participate in the census. Nevertheless, it has been learnt that Maungdaw authority are acting against the instructions given by the higher authority.

Myanmar Police Brutally Burn the Private Parts of Four Rohingya Women

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

25^th March 2014

Northern Maungdaw, Arakan- Many Rohingya homes caught fire at the village of Sin-Tay-Pyin of Laung-Doong Village tract, northern Maungdaw, on 10^th March 2014 and on the following days in the nearby villages. The fire was caused by chemical powder used by Rakhine extremists to put Rohingya homes on fire. (Read Details HERE)

Rakhine 969 Extremists Active in Northern Maungdaw

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

25^th March 2015

Maungdaw, Arakan- “Rakhine 969 extremists are ultra-active nowadays in northern Maungdaw. They gather at the monastery of “Taung-Paw” in the village of Kyein-Chaung (Bawli Bazaar)” says an eye-witness. Similary, it has also been learnt that 969 Rakhine terrorists gather everyday at the monastery of Myothit village of Nga-Kura (Nagpura) village tract and at the monastery of Kyan-Pyin village, northern Maungdaw.

These terrorists sneak into the nearby Rohingya villages at night. They throw fire-causing chemical powder on Rohingya homes, try to torch them (Rohingya homes) and also try to beat and kill Rohingyas.

Maungdaw Authority Execute Video Shooting of a Fake Violence Incidence

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

23^rd March 2014

Maungdaw, Arakan- A video shooting of a fake violence incidence involving Rakhine Extremists and the Security Force (HlunHtein) took place in Maungdaw around 8:30AM on 22^nd March 2013. Local Rohingyas suspect that the video shooting was meant to cover up any possible fortcoming violence against them around the time of the population census and to subsequently deceive the international community.

Rohingya Rescue a Buddhist Monastery from Blaze in Buthidaung

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

March 18, 2014

Buthidaung, Arakan- A Buddhist monastery at the village of Guta Pyin (Godam Fara) in Buthidaung Township caught fire around 10AM on 16^th March 2014. Monks at the monastery shouted out for help and local Rohingyas came to extinguish the fire.