The Arakan State government says it will form a militia to bolster defenses along Burma’s border with Bangladesh in the wake of a series of deadly attacks earlier this month, according to Maungdaw Township’s new border police commander.
Police Brig-Gen Thura San Lwin, who was appointed to the position two week ago after his predecessor was sacked for failing to prevent the 9 October attacks that left nine border police dead, said the new “volunteer police force” would operate under the supervision of the border police.
Police are “working to train local young people to safeguard their own areas and villages and State Chief Minister [Nyi Pyu] also gave advice,” he said, adding that new recruits would be aged between 18 and 35 and have at least a primary-school education. (Courtesy of dvb.no)
October 31, 2016
Myanmar's Suu Kyi under pressure as Rohingya crisis deepens
Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces mounting criticism for her government's handling of a crisis in Muslim-majority northern Rakhine State, where soldiers have blocked access for aid workers and are accused of raping and killing civilians.
The military operation has sharpened the tension between Suu Kyi's six-month-old civilian administration and the army, which ruled the country for decades and retains key powers, including control of ministries responsible for security.
Exposing the lack of oversight of the armed forces by the government, military commanders have ignored requests for information about alleged misconduct by soldiers for more than 10 days, according to a senior civilian official.
Troops moved into northern Rakhine, near the frontiecr with Bangladesh, after militants killed nine border police in coordinated attacks on Oct. 9. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
The military operation has sharpened the tension between Suu Kyi's six-month-old civilian administration and the army, which ruled the country for decades and retains key powers, including control of ministries responsible for security.
Exposing the lack of oversight of the armed forces by the government, military commanders have ignored requests for information about alleged misconduct by soldiers for more than 10 days, according to a senior civilian official.
Troops moved into northern Rakhine, near the frontiecr with Bangladesh, after militants killed nine border police in coordinated attacks on Oct. 9. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
October 30, 2016
Chilling silence surrounds Rohingya
For much of last week, the silence was disconcerting. After a series of coordinated attacks on border posts in western Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state left nine soldiers and police dead on Oct 9, a crackdown followed and the hunt for some 400 suspects turned bloody. The violence in the two weeks which followed left a further five officers dead, which is unforgivable, but the crackdown from authorities against the unrecognised Rohingya Muslim minority was more brutal: officially 33 accused insurgents were killed, including several suspects in custody, but given the secrecy there are fears the toll is much higher. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
In Myanmar, Military Action Forces Some to Flee: ‘We Just Had to Run Away to Save Our Lives’
The owner of a small grocery store in western Myanmar, Ko Thu Ya fled his home nearly three weeks ago with his family and has been on the run ever since.
Mr. Thu Ya, 25, is from Maungdaw Township, a coastal town on the Bangladesh border, where military action has left scores of people dead and forced thousands of people from their homes, rights groups have said. Most of the victims, like Mr. Thu Ya, are members of the Rohingya ethnic group.
The Myanmar government has described the action by the army and the border police as a counterinsurgency response to an attack this month on a nearby border post that killed nine police officers.
Rights groups in the region say they have received reports that soldiers and police officers have shot unarmed people, raped women, looted shops and burned homes. Local officials deny those reports. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Mr. Thu Ya, 25, is from Maungdaw Township, a coastal town on the Bangladesh border, where military action has left scores of people dead and forced thousands of people from their homes, rights groups have said. Most of the victims, like Mr. Thu Ya, are members of the Rohingya ethnic group.
The Myanmar government has described the action by the army and the border police as a counterinsurgency response to an attack this month on a nearby border post that killed nine police officers.
Rights groups in the region say they have received reports that soldiers and police officers have shot unarmed people, raped women, looted shops and burned homes. Local officials deny those reports. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
October 29, 2016
Suu Kyi must stop Arakan ethnic cleansing
MYANMAR’S government said that the October 9 raids were conducted by the Aqamul Mujahidin organisation, which it described as being affiliated with an extremist group. On the other hand, a previously unknown group — Faith Movement — released a press statement on October 15 in which it claimed itself as the sons of Arakan soil who were compelled by the dire situation that they faced to make their own destiny through uprising, self-determination in self-defence. ‘We stand as an independent body which is free from all elements of terror in any nature’, the press release stated ‘that seeks fundamental but legitimate rights and justice for all ARAKANESE including our innocent Rohingyas and OTHER civilians dying from the continuous military assaults.’
An outcome like this was only waiting to happen given that history has repeatedly shown that such prolonged encampment in IDP concentration camps creates a sense of ultimate abandonment by the state, pushing even the most moderates to take violent means to redress their plight. The initial attacks, in which three border police outposts were overrun by hundreds of people, most only lightly armed, showed a degree of sophistication not seen before in violence involving the Rohingya, but did not suggest the group was especially well-funded or armed, diplomats said. (Courtesy of newagebd.net)
An outcome like this was only waiting to happen given that history has repeatedly shown that such prolonged encampment in IDP concentration camps creates a sense of ultimate abandonment by the state, pushing even the most moderates to take violent means to redress their plight. The initial attacks, in which three border police outposts were overrun by hundreds of people, most only lightly armed, showed a degree of sophistication not seen before in violence involving the Rohingya, but did not suggest the group was especially well-funded or armed, diplomats said. (Courtesy of newagebd.net)
October 28, 2016
Myanmar probes Rohingya Muslim's death in custody during military operation
Myanmar is investigating the death in custody of a 60-year-old Rohingya Muslim, the office of President Htin Kyaw said, as a security sweep in the country's northwest is increasingly beset by allegations of human rights abuses.
Security forces moved into northern Rakhine State after coordinated attacks on three border guard posts on Oct. 9 killed nine police officers.
The sudden escalation of violence in Rakhine state poses a serious challenge to the six-month-old government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was swept to power in an election last year but has faced criticism abroad for failing to tackle rights abuses against the Rohingya and other Muslims.
The government has said some 400 Rohingya militants with links to Islamists overseas were behind this month's attacks and later clashes in which five soldiers were killed. A group calling itself Al-Yakin Mujahidin claimed responsibility for the attacks in videos posted online. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Security forces moved into northern Rakhine State after coordinated attacks on three border guard posts on Oct. 9 killed nine police officers.
The sudden escalation of violence in Rakhine state poses a serious challenge to the six-month-old government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was swept to power in an election last year but has faced criticism abroad for failing to tackle rights abuses against the Rohingya and other Muslims.
The government has said some 400 Rohingya militants with links to Islamists overseas were behind this month's attacks and later clashes in which five soldiers were killed. A group calling itself Al-Yakin Mujahidin claimed responsibility for the attacks in videos posted online. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION TO STOP THE MAUNGDAW CARNAGE
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM), several and the network of Asean NGOs as listed below condemn the current attrocities in the Maungdaw district of Rakhine, Myanmar.
The Myanmar authorities has without thorough investigation, targeted Rohingya community in Rakhine, for the unknown assailants on the attack on the border posts.
We are shocked by reports of rampant killings, rape, abductions, forced evictions, beatings, the burning of homes and communities and the general terrorising of the local Rohingya population which has.
Unless urgent action is taken to stop these atrocities, there will be another wave of Rohingya exodus to neighbouring countries and the increase of people who lost their houses and therefore forced to find refuge in squalid IDP camps. (Courtesy of mapim.org)
The Myanmar authorities has without thorough investigation, targeted Rohingya community in Rakhine, for the unknown assailants on the attack on the border posts.
We are shocked by reports of rampant killings, rape, abductions, forced evictions, beatings, the burning of homes and communities and the general terrorising of the local Rohingya population which has.
Unless urgent action is taken to stop these atrocities, there will be another wave of Rohingya exodus to neighbouring countries and the increase of people who lost their houses and therefore forced to find refuge in squalid IDP camps. (Courtesy of mapim.org)
Rohingya women say Myanmar soldiers raped them amid crackdown on militants
Rohingya Muslims say Myanmar soldiers raped or sexually assaulted dozens of women in a remote village in the northwest of the country during the biggest upsurge in violence against the persecuted minority in four years.
Eight Rohingya women, all from U Shey Kya village in Rakhine State, described in detail how soldiers last week raided their homes, looted property and raped them at gun point.
Reuters interviewed three of the women in person and five by telephone, and spoke to human rights groups and community leaders. Not all the claims could be independently verified, including the total number of women assaulted.
Soldiers have poured into the Maungdaw area since Oct. 9, after an insurgent group of Rohingyas that the government believes has links to Islamists overseas launched coordinated attacks on several border guard posts. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Eight Rohingya women, all from U Shey Kya village in Rakhine State, described in detail how soldiers last week raided their homes, looted property and raped them at gun point.
Reuters interviewed three of the women in person and five by telephone, and spoke to human rights groups and community leaders. Not all the claims could be independently verified, including the total number of women assaulted.
Soldiers have poured into the Maungdaw area since Oct. 9, after an insurgent group of Rohingyas that the government believes has links to Islamists overseas launched coordinated attacks on several border guard posts. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Blanket denials of Rakhine abuses threaten Myanmar’s moves to democracy
Hopes for democracy in Myanmar are this week at their most vulnerable point since the National League for Democracy swept to electoral victory last year, as the military continues to ignore Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s calls for it to abide by the rule of law in northern Rakhine State and allegations of rights violations grow.
In an interview that bodes very badly for people in Rakhine and across the country, U Zaw Htay of the President’s Office flatly denied allegations of arbitrary arrests and torture in the state’s north as troops there continue to hunt for those behind three deadly assaults on border police bases on October 9.
On October 25, meanwhile, a video posted on YouTube by a group calling itself Faith Movement claimed that Rohingya rights activists were behind the attacks, the first time any organisation has taken responsibility for them since they occurred. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
In an interview that bodes very badly for people in Rakhine and across the country, U Zaw Htay of the President’s Office flatly denied allegations of arbitrary arrests and torture in the state’s north as troops there continue to hunt for those behind three deadly assaults on border police bases on October 9.
On October 25, meanwhile, a video posted on YouTube by a group calling itself Faith Movement claimed that Rohingya rights activists were behind the attacks, the first time any organisation has taken responsibility for them since they occurred. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Calls Grow for Access to Western Myanmar in Face of Military Lockdown
In the aftermath of violence this month in western Myanmar that has left scores of people dead, the authorities are facing mounting pressure to lift a weekslong military lockdown that advocacy groups say has trapped Muslims in their communities and largely prevented aid workers from helping them.
People in the northern part of Rakhine State have watched the Myanmar Army and the border police loot shops, rape women, burn homes and Qurans, and shoot unarmed people in the days and weeks since an attack this month on a guard post near the Bangladeshi border killed nine police officers, rights activists say. The United Nations, in a statement on Monday, urged the government to address “growing reports of human rights violations” in the area.
The violence this month has largely affected members of the Rohingya ethnic group, a stateless Muslim minority with roughly one million members in Rakhine State. The Rohingya have been unable to obtain Myanmar citizenship, even though many of their families have lived in the country for generations. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
People in the northern part of Rakhine State have watched the Myanmar Army and the border police loot shops, rape women, burn homes and Qurans, and shoot unarmed people in the days and weeks since an attack this month on a guard post near the Bangladeshi border killed nine police officers, rights activists say. The United Nations, in a statement on Monday, urged the government to address “growing reports of human rights violations” in the area.
The violence this month has largely affected members of the Rohingya ethnic group, a stateless Muslim minority with roughly one million members in Rakhine State. The Rohingya have been unable to obtain Myanmar citizenship, even though many of their families have lived in the country for generations. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
October 27, 2016
Dozens of rapes reported in northern Rakhine State
Dozens of Muslim women have allegedly been raped by state security forces in northern Rakhine State during counter-insurgency operations there, according to rights groups citing “credible” sources. Tight military controls in the region, including shutting out international humanitarian organisations, means independent verification has not been possible.
Around 30 women are reported to have been raped by security forces in a single village on October 19, according to Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a Rohingya rights organisation.
Ms Lewa said she had also received additional reports of five girls aged between 16 and 18 being raped in another village on October 25 and two women at another location on October 20.
On October 25, the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) released a statement saying it was “extremely concerned” over at least 10 alleged rape cases that had been documented by civilians in Maungdaw township since the military operation had begun there, including one woman who was three months pregnant and later suffered a miscarriage. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Around 30 women are reported to have been raped by security forces in a single village on October 19, according to Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a Rohingya rights organisation.
Ms Lewa said she had also received additional reports of five girls aged between 16 and 18 being raped in another village on October 25 and two women at another location on October 20.
On October 25, the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) released a statement saying it was “extremely concerned” over at least 10 alleged rape cases that had been documented by civilians in Maungdaw township since the military operation had begun there, including one woman who was three months pregnant and later suffered a miscarriage. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
11 Rohingya Feared Dead in Burmese Navy Shooting Rampage
At least 11 innocent people were killed in a Burmese Navy shooting rampage on two boats carrying Rohingya people on board in the Naff River around 1 AM today, a reliable source said.
It has been reported that the victims were fleeing from the continuous military assaults and extrajudicial killing of the innocent civilians in Maungdaw to Bangladesh. Most of the victims of the incident are from ‘Ye Twin Chaung (Raimma Bil) and Paung Zaa (Ashikka Fara)’ villages.
“During the shooting spree by the Navy, some people were hit by bullets and died. While some other people died drowning in the Naff River as they jumped off the boats. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
It has been reported that the victims were fleeing from the continuous military assaults and extrajudicial killing of the innocent civilians in Maungdaw to Bangladesh. Most of the victims of the incident are from ‘Ye Twin Chaung (Raimma Bil) and Paung Zaa (Ashikka Fara)’ villages.
“During the shooting spree by the Navy, some people were hit by bullets and died. While some other people died drowning in the Naff River as they jumped off the boats. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
October 25, 2016
Myanmar army forces hundreds of Rohingya villagers from homes - witnesses
Hundreds of Myanmar's Rohingya villagers are facing a second night hiding in rice fields without shelter, after the army on Sunday forcibly removed them from a village in a crackdown following attacks on border security forces.
Four Rohingya sources contacted by Reuters by telephone, said border guard officers went to Kyee Kan Pyin village on Sunday and ordered about 2,000 villagers to abandon it, giving them just enough time to collect basic household items.
The move marks an escalation in violence which has destabilized Myanmar's most volatile state located in the remote northwest. In Rakhine, relations between the Rohingya and majority Buddhists have hit their lowest point since hundreds of people were killed and thousands displaced in ethnic and religious violence in 2012. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Four Rohingya sources contacted by Reuters by telephone, said border guard officers went to Kyee Kan Pyin village on Sunday and ordered about 2,000 villagers to abandon it, giving them just enough time to collect basic household items.
The move marks an escalation in violence which has destabilized Myanmar's most volatile state located in the remote northwest. In Rakhine, relations between the Rohingya and majority Buddhists have hit their lowest point since hundreds of people were killed and thousands displaced in ethnic and religious violence in 2012. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
October 23, 2016
Border Guard Police Uproot Entire Rohingya Hamlet in Maungdaw
The Burmese Border Guard Police (BGP) uprooted an entire Rohingya hamlet at KyiKanPyin (Hawar Bil) village in Maungdaw Township today.
The hamlet known as ‘the Middle Hamlet’ comprises around 300 households with over 2,000 people and is the biggest hamlet in KyiKanPyin village. The locals in the hamlet were ordered by the BGP yesterday to leave their homes by today, which is now leading to a mass exodus to different neighbouring villages.
“An officer named Colonel Thura Sann Lwin has been recently appointed as new commander for the BGP Headquarter in KyiKanPyin. He yesterday ordered us through our village administrator to leave our homes by today. As so, the BGP forces started raiding our hamlet and driving us out from our homes around 11 AM today,” said a local who was also driven out of his home.
It has been learnt that the local residents are not even allowed to come back to their homes even to take and pack up their properties and belongings forgotten and left while they were being hastily driven out once after they had left their homes. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
The hamlet known as ‘the Middle Hamlet’ comprises around 300 households with over 2,000 people and is the biggest hamlet in KyiKanPyin village. The locals in the hamlet were ordered by the BGP yesterday to leave their homes by today, which is now leading to a mass exodus to different neighbouring villages.
“An officer named Colonel Thura Sann Lwin has been recently appointed as new commander for the BGP Headquarter in KyiKanPyin. He yesterday ordered us through our village administrator to leave our homes by today. As so, the BGP forces started raiding our hamlet and driving us out from our homes around 11 AM today,” said a local who was also driven out of his home.
It has been learnt that the local residents are not even allowed to come back to their homes even to take and pack up their properties and belongings forgotten and left while they were being hastily driven out once after they had left their homes. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
October 22, 2016
Burmese Military Rape 8 Rohingya Women in Maungdaw
The Burmese military brutally raped 8 Rohingya women at ‘Oo Kye Kyar (Bura Shiddafara) village in northern Maungdaw during a raid on Wednesday (October 19) morning, a local source confirms.
Besides, the military looted money, gold and other ornaments from many women taking advantage of the situation that the (Rohingya) men went into hiding to escape arbitrary arrests, tortures and killings (by the military).
“They conducted raid on each and every house. During the raids, they brutally raped 8 Rohingya women. Some rape victims are still in miserable conditions as they can’t get medical treatment.
“On the other hand, in some houses, the military forced women to take off their ornaments and give away to them. In some other houses, they just brutally pulled away earrings from the ears of the women and chains from their necks,” said a local resident of the village. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Besides, the military looted money, gold and other ornaments from many women taking advantage of the situation that the (Rohingya) men went into hiding to escape arbitrary arrests, tortures and killings (by the military).
“They conducted raid on each and every house. During the raids, they brutally raped 8 Rohingya women. Some rape victims are still in miserable conditions as they can’t get medical treatment.
“On the other hand, in some houses, the military forced women to take off their ornaments and give away to them. In some other houses, they just brutally pulled away earrings from the ears of the women and chains from their necks,” said a local resident of the village. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
October 21, 2016
Why Are There Arsons and Shootings Again and Again in Maungdaw Township?
Maungdaw is a border trading town in Rakhine State, situated in south-west of Myanmar. It is home to more than 500,000 inhabitants from varying backgrounds such as Rohingya, Rakhine, Hindu, Thet, Dai-net Mro, Kamee and Marmagyi.
Among the people, Rohingya are historically the most indigenous and documented as the richest people in the township. In population, approximately 80 percent are Rohingya, 15 percent Buddhists and five percent are Hindus. Most of the land, forests and lakes are owned by native Rohingya. Religiously, Rohingya are the only group who believes in Islam and all the rest except Hindus are Buddhists who enjoy full freedom of all legal rights. The fate of most Rohingya is so perilous and their ethnic identities in Myanmar have been denied as well as they have been suffering Civil and Human Rights violation and even genocide today.
In other townships in Rakhine State, Buddhist nationalists and anti-Muslim chauvinists who play a role in the Union and State governments have been bringing their attention on the population and influence to the wealth of Rohingya in three townships: Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathidaung in Northern Rakhine State. They have been focusing their racial and religious concerns in those townships. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
Among the people, Rohingya are historically the most indigenous and documented as the richest people in the township. In population, approximately 80 percent are Rohingya, 15 percent Buddhists and five percent are Hindus. Most of the land, forests and lakes are owned by native Rohingya. Religiously, Rohingya are the only group who believes in Islam and all the rest except Hindus are Buddhists who enjoy full freedom of all legal rights. The fate of most Rohingya is so perilous and their ethnic identities in Myanmar have been denied as well as they have been suffering Civil and Human Rights violation and even genocide today.
In other townships in Rakhine State, Buddhist nationalists and anti-Muslim chauvinists who play a role in the Union and State governments have been bringing their attention on the population and influence to the wealth of Rohingya in three townships: Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathidaung in Northern Rakhine State. They have been focusing their racial and religious concerns in those townships. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
October 20, 2016
UN calls for protecting civilians as fighting, though reduced, continues in north-west Myanmar
Even though fighting between security forces and a group, identified by the Government as the Aqa mul moujahideen, in some villages on the outskirts of Maungdaw township in Myanmar’s Northern Rakhine province appear to have reduced in severity, an atmosphere of fear and tension continues to grip the local population, a spokesperson for the United Nations said today.
“While deploring the attacks on the security forces and noting their sober response to these attacks, we continue to underline the importance of caution to avoid any loss of innocent lives or damage to properties of the local population from the continuing operations against the attackers,” UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists during the daily press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
“We also note the strong commitment expressed by the Government in upholding the rule of law, proceeding against the perpetrators in accordance with proper judicial process and guarding against any looting, provocation or hatred among the people or incitement to communal violence,” he added. (Courtesy of un.org)
“While deploring the attacks on the security forces and noting their sober response to these attacks, we continue to underline the importance of caution to avoid any loss of innocent lives or damage to properties of the local population from the continuing operations against the attackers,” UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists during the daily press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
“We also note the strong commitment expressed by the Government in upholding the rule of law, proceeding against the perpetrators in accordance with proper judicial process and guarding against any looting, provocation or hatred among the people or incitement to communal violence,” he added. (Courtesy of un.org)
In Western Myanmar, a Lockdown and Fears of More Violence
More than a week after attacks on police officers began a wave of bloodshed in western Myanmar, a lockdown by security forces has prevented aid workers from operating in the area, and new videos of what appear to be local Muslims calling for resistance have raised fears of more violence.
Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, the deputy minister for home affairs, told reporters on Monday in Naypyidaw, the capital, that 30 attackers had been killed in Rakhine State since the Oct. 9 assaults on three border posts that left nine police officers dead. Activists from the Rohingya ethnic group, a persecuted Muslim minority who number more than a million in Rakhine, have accused the security forces of waging a counterinsurgency campaign against civilians, and they have circulated photos that they say show security forces burning Rohingya homes.
Neither the government’s nor the activists’ version of events could be independently verified. But an advocacy group, Fortify Rights, recently said that it had interviewed witnesses who described what appeared to be extrajudicial killings by the military. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, the deputy minister for home affairs, told reporters on Monday in Naypyidaw, the capital, that 30 attackers had been killed in Rakhine State since the Oct. 9 assaults on three border posts that left nine police officers dead. Activists from the Rohingya ethnic group, a persecuted Muslim minority who number more than a million in Rakhine, have accused the security forces of waging a counterinsurgency campaign against civilians, and they have circulated photos that they say show security forces burning Rohingya homes.
Neither the government’s nor the activists’ version of events could be independently verified. But an advocacy group, Fortify Rights, recently said that it had interviewed witnesses who described what appeared to be extrajudicial killings by the military. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Burmese Military Continue to Commit Serious Crimes against Rohingya
The Burmese military have been continuously committing serious crimes against the Rohingya civilians such as extrajudicial killings, plunders, arbitrary arrests and tortures; and rapes against their women since October 9, although they have scaled down openly firing on civilians and burning down their (the civilians’) homes in last few days, a local source said.
It has been reported that yesterday (i.e. 19th October) morning, around 30 military personnel along with other 15 Rakhine youths raided the southern hamlet of MaungNama (MonDama) village tract in northern Maungdaw. During the raid from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM yesterday, the military committed all kinds of atrocities against the villagers.
“The Rakhine (Magh) youths from ‘Aung Mingala’ village already came to ‘MaungNama’ with bags. They plundered and put everything in their bags; right from rice to onions. They pulled away ornaments from the bodies of the women. Literally, they plundered each and everything.(Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
It has been reported that yesterday (i.e. 19th October) morning, around 30 military personnel along with other 15 Rakhine youths raided the southern hamlet of MaungNama (MonDama) village tract in northern Maungdaw. During the raid from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM yesterday, the military committed all kinds of atrocities against the villagers.
“The Rakhine (Magh) youths from ‘Aung Mingala’ village already came to ‘MaungNama’ with bags. They plundered and put everything in their bags; right from rice to onions. They pulled away ornaments from the bodies of the women. Literally, they plundered each and everything.(Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Rohingyas In Ngukura Invited To Meeting Were Arrested And Two Killed While In Custody
Eleven prominent Rohingyas from Ngakura village in Maungdaw Township were invited to attend a meeting by Myanmar Border Guard Police Battalion Commander based in Ngakura. They allegedly invited them to cooperate in the effort of finding attackers who attacked the BGP outposts on October 9th. These attendees were not allowed to go back home and arrested. Later two of them were killed while in custody.
On October 18th, 2016 at 9am BGP battalion commander made phone calls to some prominent Rohingyas who were close to him. He asked them to cooperate with him in finding the attackers. Eleven Rohingyas who were invited joined the meeting as per the request of commander. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
On October 18th, 2016 at 9am BGP battalion commander made phone calls to some prominent Rohingyas who were close to him. He asked them to cooperate with him in finding the attackers. Eleven Rohingyas who were invited joined the meeting as per the request of commander. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
October 19, 2016
Burmese Soldier Hacks Three Rohingya Passers-by
A Burmese soldier hacked three Rohingya passers-by in Buthidaung Township yesterday evening critically injuring two of them, according to an eyewitness.
The incident happened around 5:45 PM yesterday while three Rohingyas – a mother and son duo; and another youth – hailing from ‘NgaChingTok’ village were on their way back home from the market. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
The incident happened around 5:45 PM yesterday while three Rohingyas – a mother and son duo; and another youth – hailing from ‘NgaChingTok’ village were on their way back home from the market. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
In Western Myanmar, a Lockdown and Fears of More Violence
More than a week after attacks on police officers began a wave of bloodshed in western Myanmar, a lockdown by security forces has prevented aid workers from operating in the area, and new videos of what appear to be local Muslims calling for resistance have raised fears of more violence.
Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, the deputy minister for home affairs, told reporters on Monday in Naypyidaw, the capital, that 30 attackers had been killed in Rakhine State since the Oct. 9 assaults on three border posts that left nine police officers dead. Activists from the Rohingya ethnic group, a persecuted Muslim minority who number more than a million in Rakhine, have accused the security forces of waging a counterinsurgency campaign against civilians, and they have circulated photos that they say show security forces burning Rohingya homes.
Neither the government’s nor the activists’ version of events could be independently verified. But an advocacy group, Fortify Rights, recently said that it had interviewed witnesses who described what appeared to be extrajudicial killings by the military. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Maj. Gen. Aung Soe, the deputy minister for home affairs, told reporters on Monday in Naypyidaw, the capital, that 30 attackers had been killed in Rakhine State since the Oct. 9 assaults on three border posts that left nine police officers dead. Activists from the Rohingya ethnic group, a persecuted Muslim minority who number more than a million in Rakhine, have accused the security forces of waging a counterinsurgency campaign against civilians, and they have circulated photos that they say show security forces burning Rohingya homes.
Neither the government’s nor the activists’ version of events could be independently verified. But an advocacy group, Fortify Rights, recently said that it had interviewed witnesses who described what appeared to be extrajudicial killings by the military. (Courtesy of nytimes.com)
Military lockdown cuts off U.N. aid to strife-hit Myanmar region
Violence in a Muslim-majority region of Myanmar is stopping aid agencies from delivering food and medicines, a United Nations official said on Tuesday, as security forces respond to deadly raids that the government says were inspired by Islamists.
Troops have been sweeping northern Rakhine state for more than a week, hunting an estimated 400 fighters who officials believe are members of the mostly stateless Rohingya Muslim community acting with the support of Islamists abroad.
The Myanmar military has declared the area an "operation zone" and has tightly controlled the flow of information since insurgents seized dozens of weapons in raids on border posts on Oct. 9 in which nine police officers were killed. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Troops have been sweeping northern Rakhine state for more than a week, hunting an estimated 400 fighters who officials believe are members of the mostly stateless Rohingya Muslim community acting with the support of Islamists abroad.
The Myanmar military has declared the area an "operation zone" and has tightly controlled the flow of information since insurgents seized dozens of weapons in raids on border posts on Oct. 9 in which nine police officers were killed. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Enforced Disappearances of Innocent Rohingyas by Burmese Regime
The Burmese armed forces have been continuosly committing enforced disappearances of innocent Rohingya civilians in northern Maungdaw since October 9, whilst scaling down the mass atrocities like openly killing them and burning down their homes, the local sources say.
The armed forces such as the military and the Border Guard Police have been arbitrarily arresting innocent Rohingyas from their homes, grabbing them from the roads and summoning them to their camps; and detaining them incommunicado after that.
It’s feared that many of the arrestees have been killed since the time of their arrests.
“Around 2 PM, yesterday (i.e. on October 18), the Lt. Commander of Kyaw Thet Zaw of NgaKura (NagPura) Camp summoned 12 Rohingya elders from the (NgaKura) village. They have been out of contact since them and haven’t returned home yet. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
The armed forces such as the military and the Border Guard Police have been arbitrarily arresting innocent Rohingyas from their homes, grabbing them from the roads and summoning them to their camps; and detaining them incommunicado after that.
It’s feared that many of the arrestees have been killed since the time of their arrests.
“Around 2 PM, yesterday (i.e. on October 18), the Lt. Commander of Kyaw Thet Zaw of NgaKura (NagPura) Camp summoned 12 Rohingya elders from the (NgaKura) village. They have been out of contact since them and haven’t returned home yet. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Urgent Humanitarian Assistance Needed For IDPs From Kyet Yoe Pyin Village
Internally displaced people in Kyet Yoe Pyin village tract in Northern Maungdaw Towship are facing difficulties for medical treatment, food and Shelters.
In Kyet Yoe Pyin village tract includes 5 affected hamlets, Ywa Gyi hamlet, West hamlet, Lu Tin Farang hamlet and Fawr Zar Gar Fara hamlet. The population is 4994 Males and 5016 Females for a total of 10010 people that dwelled in a total 1368 houses.
According to locals, 803 houses from Kyet Yoe Yin village tract were burnt to ashes by the Myanmar military on October 12th and October 13th. Two third of the market was burnt down there too. All cattle, goats and chickens were loaded on trucks and taken away. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
In Kyet Yoe Pyin village tract includes 5 affected hamlets, Ywa Gyi hamlet, West hamlet, Lu Tin Farang hamlet and Fawr Zar Gar Fara hamlet. The population is 4994 Males and 5016 Females for a total of 10010 people that dwelled in a total 1368 houses.
According to locals, 803 houses from Kyet Yoe Yin village tract were burnt to ashes by the Myanmar military on October 12th and October 13th. Two third of the market was burnt down there too. All cattle, goats and chickens were loaded on trucks and taken away. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
October 18, 2016
Aung San Suu Kyi should speak against the persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar
The arrival of a Nobel Peace laureate in New Delhi should rouse our collective spirit; the very purpose of the prize is to amplify the recipient’s ability to inspire. But this can be a burden on laureates. Once ennobled, they are held to their own highest standard, and subject to closer international scrutiny than ever before in their lives. Under such intense examination, some are found wanting: Henry Kissinger was discovered to be an amoral war-monger; Kofi Annan did little to halt the Hutu-Tutsi genocide when he was head of the UN’s peacekeeping forces. Others fail to live up to the enhanced expectations: Barack Obama, awarded before he had done enough to deserve the prize, has not yet earned it; the European Union has been disgraced by the behaviour of many of its members toward Syrian refugees. (Courtesy of hindustantimes.com)
A senior humanitarian Rohingya was tortured to death in Maungdaw while in Police Custody
A respected senior humanitarian Rohingya man was tortured to death while in Maungdaw Police Custody.
On the 18th of October, 2016, A Rohingya man was tortured to death by the police while he was being interrogated in Maungdaw Police Custody. He was moved for burial by a dozen policemen by a car and taken to the cemetery of Kanyin Tan (Myoma) East Mosque. His family was not notified of his death or burial at this time.
The deceased man was named Karim Ullah, and he was a previously a humanitarian aid worker. Karim was 58 years old, and he was the son of Hashim (the late school teacher) from Reeda hamlet, Aung Sit Pyin Village tract, northern Maungdaw.
On 14 of October, 2016, Karim was arrested by Military forces who were raiding his home. He was arrested with his three young sons including a son of his elder brother, U Shwe Thar, a retired school teacher. They were detained for a couple of days in Kyein Chaung Police Station and were later taken to Maungdaw Police Custody during the past weekend. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
On the 18th of October, 2016, A Rohingya man was tortured to death by the police while he was being interrogated in Maungdaw Police Custody. He was moved for burial by a dozen policemen by a car and taken to the cemetery of Kanyin Tan (Myoma) East Mosque. His family was not notified of his death or burial at this time.
The deceased man was named Karim Ullah, and he was a previously a humanitarian aid worker. Karim was 58 years old, and he was the son of Hashim (the late school teacher) from Reeda hamlet, Aung Sit Pyin Village tract, northern Maungdaw.
On 14 of October, 2016, Karim was arrested by Military forces who were raiding his home. He was arrested with his three young sons including a son of his elder brother, U Shwe Thar, a retired school teacher. They were detained for a couple of days in Kyein Chaung Police Station and were later taken to Maungdaw Police Custody during the past weekend. (Courtesy of rohingyablogger.com)
Suu Kyi at “Dire” situation Asks For Patience At BIMSTEC Event
In her first public appearance in India since the National League for Democracy government came to power in Myanmar in March, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi appealed to “friends and neighbours” to understand the complexities of the volatile Arakan (Rakhine) state, noting that decades-old tensions cannot be resolved in a day in a “very young democracy” even at this Catastrophe.
Suu Kyi arrived in Goa on Sunday morning and in the evening spoke at the BRICS outreach event with leaders from the seven members of BIMSTEC.
“Our region is confronted by numerous challenges including security threats including rising terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, natural and man-made disasters and even the danger of nuclear proliferation,” Suu Kyi said at the roundtable meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Terming “rising terrorism’ as a source of “common concern”, Suu Kyi said that the international community must be “united in standing together against all forms of manifestations of violence extremism relating to religion, cultural and social intolerance”. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Suu Kyi arrived in Goa on Sunday morning and in the evening spoke at the BRICS outreach event with leaders from the seven members of BIMSTEC.
“Our region is confronted by numerous challenges including security threats including rising terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, natural and man-made disasters and even the danger of nuclear proliferation,” Suu Kyi said at the roundtable meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Terming “rising terrorism’ as a source of “common concern”, Suu Kyi said that the international community must be “united in standing together against all forms of manifestations of violence extremism relating to religion, cultural and social intolerance”. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Why Japan and India must be partners in Myanmar
Myanmar’s de factor leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is seeking to carefully balance relations with major powers as part of her commitment to revive the country’s tradition of employing a neutral foreign policy. Suu Kyi’s India visit this week follows trips to Beijing and Washington.
Myanmar’s geographic, cultural and geostrategic positioning between India and China makes it critical to the long-term interests of both these powers.
Crippling U.S.-led sanctions since the late 1980s pushed resource-rich Myanmar into China’s strategic lap. Sanctions without engagement have never worked. During his 2010 Indian tour, U.S. President Barack Obama criticized India’s policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar, only to return home and pursue, within months, a virtually similar policy. The shift in U.S. policy helped to spur Myanmar’s reform process, thereby ending half a century of military-dominated rule. (Courtesy of japantimes.co.jp)
Myanmar’s geographic, cultural and geostrategic positioning between India and China makes it critical to the long-term interests of both these powers.
Crippling U.S.-led sanctions since the late 1980s pushed resource-rich Myanmar into China’s strategic lap. Sanctions without engagement have never worked. During his 2010 Indian tour, U.S. President Barack Obama criticized India’s policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar, only to return home and pursue, within months, a virtually similar policy. The shift in U.S. policy helped to spur Myanmar’s reform process, thereby ending half a century of military-dominated rule. (Courtesy of japantimes.co.jp)
China and Myanmar to Increase Practical Cooperation
China president, Xi Jinping has asked the Myanmar Council of State, Aung San Suu Kyi, to increase practical cooperation between the two countries in order to move ahead with strategic and comprehensive collaboration, according to a government statement.
Gathered in the Indian state of Goa, Xi told Suu Kyi that Beijing is willing to work with Yangon to continue their traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.
His comments came on Sunday in the framework of the annual summit of BRICS, where he gave some examples of current areas of cooperation: industrial parks, infrastructure construction, agriculture, water conservation, education, health care, tourism, Buddhism and local affairs.
He acknowledged that Myanmar is maintaining a good momentum of development and called on the Burmese people to continue making steady progress on a path to development which suits its own national conditions. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
Gathered in the Indian state of Goa, Xi told Suu Kyi that Beijing is willing to work with Yangon to continue their traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.
His comments came on Sunday in the framework of the annual summit of BRICS, where he gave some examples of current areas of cooperation: industrial parks, infrastructure construction, agriculture, water conservation, education, health care, tourism, Buddhism and local affairs.
He acknowledged that Myanmar is maintaining a good momentum of development and called on the Burmese people to continue making steady progress on a path to development which suits its own national conditions. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
CENTRHRA Wants Myanmar Government To Be Charged At ICC
The Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA) has urged international stakeholders to charge the Myanmar government at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for committing crimes of violence against the Rohingya minority.
CENTRA chief executive officer Azril Mohd Amin said the discrimination and oppression against the ethnic group persisted until today without any sanctions.
"We should not allow this. International laws needs to be deployed," he said in a press conference, here today.
According to Azril, under Article 5 of the Rome Statute, four types of international crimes are included under the jurisdiction of ICC, namely, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of intrusion.
He said, CENTHRA believed the actions of the Myanmar regime towards the Rohingya fell into the category of genocide and crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of malaysiandigest.com)
CENTRA chief executive officer Azril Mohd Amin said the discrimination and oppression against the ethnic group persisted until today without any sanctions.
"We should not allow this. International laws needs to be deployed," he said in a press conference, here today.
According to Azril, under Article 5 of the Rome Statute, four types of international crimes are included under the jurisdiction of ICC, namely, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of intrusion.
He said, CENTHRA believed the actions of the Myanmar regime towards the Rohingya fell into the category of genocide and crimes against humanity. (Courtesy of malaysiandigest.com)
Myanmar-China relations: Glass half-full
Situated between much larger powers and ruled for decades by a military junta, Myanmar is emerging anew under the de facto leadership of its state counsellor and foreign minister, Aung San Suu Kyi. For many of Myanmar’s neighbours, this transition has relatively few implications for the current balance of power – at least for now. The exception is China, for which Myanmar is an important investment destination both in itself and as an enabler via the China-India-Myanmar corridor. Two factors will be particularly influential for the future of Sino-Myanmar relations under Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership: the economic ties that bound the two nations and leveraging Chinese influence to solve Myanmar’s ethnic conflict.
Suu Kyi’s first priority following the NLD’s sweeping and historic victory in November last year was arguably to cement relations with China. This work was clearly underway even before the election, with Suu Kyi accepting an invitation to go to Beijing in July 2015. Its importance was reinforced with another visit in August 2016, a notable first (outside Southeast Asia) in a series of overseas engagements for Suu Kyi. Much of the focus has been on allaying anxiety in Beijing that Myanmar’s normalisation of relations with the West, which began under Thein Sein’s leadership, would lead to a shift in foreign policy by the new government, given the NLD has been historically pro-West. (Courtesy of lowyinterpreter.org)
Suu Kyi’s first priority following the NLD’s sweeping and historic victory in November last year was arguably to cement relations with China. This work was clearly underway even before the election, with Suu Kyi accepting an invitation to go to Beijing in July 2015. Its importance was reinforced with another visit in August 2016, a notable first (outside Southeast Asia) in a series of overseas engagements for Suu Kyi. Much of the focus has been on allaying anxiety in Beijing that Myanmar’s normalisation of relations with the West, which began under Thein Sein’s leadership, would lead to a shift in foreign policy by the new government, given the NLD has been historically pro-West. (Courtesy of lowyinterpreter.org)
Letter To The UN Secretary General On Rohingya Persecution In Myanmar
I am writing to you to express my deep concern over the fate of the Rohingya people of Myanmar. I am certain you are familiar with their extremely precarious situation, as we have seen them teetering on the edge of genocide since at least 2012. Yet what prompts me to write this letter is the latest news coming out of Myanmar just in the last few days: a series of attacks against border guard outposts killed 9 Burmese policemen just over a week ago, the Rohingya were quickly deemed responsible, and the police and army in the local state of Rakhine/Arakan have already carried out over 100 indiscriminate extra-judicial killings of dozens of Rohingya - including old men, women and children.
The fear on the ground is that the violence may now escalate to at least the level of violence of 2012 or 2013, when dozens were killed, over 100,000 were displaced to internal camps and many more Rohingya were driven out of the country altogether, triggering the South East Asia Migration Crisis which culminated in the spring of last year. And that may be the optimistic scenario. This new upsurge of violence may ultimately prove to be the final trigger to outright genocide that the UN and many NGO observers have been dreading. (Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com)
The fear on the ground is that the violence may now escalate to at least the level of violence of 2012 or 2013, when dozens were killed, over 100,000 were displaced to internal camps and many more Rohingya were driven out of the country altogether, triggering the South East Asia Migration Crisis which culminated in the spring of last year. And that may be the optimistic scenario. This new upsurge of violence may ultimately prove to be the final trigger to outright genocide that the UN and many NGO observers have been dreading. (Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com)
Aung San Suu Kyi discusses Indo-Myanmar ties with Sonia Gandhi
Myanmar's Foreign Minister and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday at her residence in Delhi.
Myanmar's Foreign Minister drove to the 10, Janpath residence of Gandhi and spent sometime with the Congress President. She is learnt to have discussed the steps for strengthening of Indo-Myanmar ties. Senior Congress leader Karan Singh was also present at Gandhi's residence and greeted her along with Gandhi on her arrival. (Courtesy of dnaindia.com)
Myanmar's Foreign Minister drove to the 10, Janpath residence of Gandhi and spent sometime with the Congress President. She is learnt to have discussed the steps for strengthening of Indo-Myanmar ties. Senior Congress leader Karan Singh was also present at Gandhi's residence and greeted her along with Gandhi on her arrival. (Courtesy of dnaindia.com)
32 bodies found after Myanmar ferry sinking; death toll set to rise
At least 32 people have died after a ferry sank in a river in north-western Myanmar, with scores missing, rescue officials have said.
About 150 people had been rescued from the Chindwin River in the Sagaing region after the ferry capsized last Saturday, said Mr Sa Willy Frank, head of the regional relief department, who is overseeing the operation.
As of 4pm local time yesterday, 32 bodies had been recovered, leaving more than 60 people still unaccounted for amid a continuing salvage operation, he said.
Search teams, who are securing the boat with ropes so that it can be hauled out by a crane, fear that the death toll could go as high as 100. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
About 150 people had been rescued from the Chindwin River in the Sagaing region after the ferry capsized last Saturday, said Mr Sa Willy Frank, head of the regional relief department, who is overseeing the operation.
As of 4pm local time yesterday, 32 bodies had been recovered, leaving more than 60 people still unaccounted for amid a continuing salvage operation, he said.
Search teams, who are securing the boat with ropes so that it can be hauled out by a crane, fear that the death toll could go as high as 100. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
Mandalay journalist threatened after reporting on illegal logging
A journalist who says he was forced to flee his home for fear of reprisals from timber smugglers has accused local authorities in Mandalay Region of not coming to his aid. And another reporter, a freelancer, staged a one-man protest denouncing “corrupt officials”.
Ko Tin Zaw Oo, who works for The Voice Daily in Mandalay Region, says six men came to his home on October 6, the day after the paper carried a story he wrote on illegal sawmills in Thabeikkyin township.
“One day after I covered the story, they came to my home. They told me that they had come from the forest to see me, as I was well-known. Then they told me to follow them. I asked them to wait, as I was writing a story for the newspaper. While they were waiting I called the deputy head of the township police, but he told me to call the chief of police. Just then, a government official turned up, and the men left. My neighbours rallied around the whole night, and the next morning I fled to Mandalay for my safety,” he said. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Ko Tin Zaw Oo, who works for The Voice Daily in Mandalay Region, says six men came to his home on October 6, the day after the paper carried a story he wrote on illegal sawmills in Thabeikkyin township.
“One day after I covered the story, they came to my home. They told me that they had come from the forest to see me, as I was well-known. Then they told me to follow them. I asked them to wait, as I was writing a story for the newspaper. While they were waiting I called the deputy head of the township police, but he told me to call the chief of police. Just then, a government official turned up, and the men left. My neighbours rallied around the whole night, and the next morning I fled to Mandalay for my safety,” he said. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Myanmar ranked last in evaluation of 17 Asia-Pacific economies
Myanmar has been ranked last of 17 Asia-Pacific economies evaluated for their efforts to combat illicit trade on an index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Myanmar received a score of 10.8 on the 100-point Illicit Trade Environment Index, after Laos (12.9), Cambodia (23.9) and Indonesia (46.1).
Australia topped the list with 85.2, followed by New Zealand (81.8), Hong Kong (81.4) and Japan (75.9).
The index, commissioned by the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ranked eighth on 69.8) and released on October 12, evaluated the economies in four main categories: intellectual property, transparency and trade, customs, and supply and demand.
In an accompanying report, EIU acknowledged the challenges of compiling the index. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Myanmar received a score of 10.8 on the 100-point Illicit Trade Environment Index, after Laos (12.9), Cambodia (23.9) and Indonesia (46.1).
Australia topped the list with 85.2, followed by New Zealand (81.8), Hong Kong (81.4) and Japan (75.9).
The index, commissioned by the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ranked eighth on 69.8) and released on October 12, evaluated the economies in four main categories: intellectual property, transparency and trade, customs, and supply and demand.
In an accompanying report, EIU acknowledged the challenges of compiling the index. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Dozens dead, scores missing in Myanmar ferry disaster
Rescue teams have recovered at least 32 bodies as they intensify search operations following the sinking of an overloaded ferry sank in central Myanmar.
A total of 154 people were rescued alive after the ferry sank early Saturday on the Chindwin River, about 72km north of the city of Monywa.
But rescuers have found only bloated corpses floating in the water since then, and fear the death toll could reach 100 once they raise the boat from the riverbed.
"So far we have recovered 32 dead bodies," Sa Willy Frient, director of the local relief and resettlement department who is overseeing the operation, told AFP news agency on Sunday.
"We are trying to raise the boat using a crane after tying it with strong ropes. After we lift it out, the death toll will be higher." (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
A total of 154 people were rescued alive after the ferry sank early Saturday on the Chindwin River, about 72km north of the city of Monywa.
But rescuers have found only bloated corpses floating in the water since then, and fear the death toll could reach 100 once they raise the boat from the riverbed.
"So far we have recovered 32 dead bodies," Sa Willy Frient, director of the local relief and resettlement department who is overseeing the operation, told AFP news agency on Sunday.
"We are trying to raise the boat using a crane after tying it with strong ropes. After we lift it out, the death toll will be higher." (Courtesy of aljazeera.com)
Myanmar's new economic zone attracts foreign interest but local ire
Looking north from Myint Win's farm, across rice paddies and past bamboo huts, a massive new industrial development on the outskirts of Myanmar's biggest city gleams in the distance.
The buildings sprang up during the first phase of developing the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a 6,200 acre (2,500-hectare) industrial project that is a joint venture between the governments of Myanmar and Japan and some private consortia.
The factories that have been built produce everything from children's toys to clothing, medical supplies to electronics.
For developing nations like Myanmar - which emerged from decades of economic isolation in 2011 when the military stepped back from direct control of the country - special economic zones are a way of attracting foreign investment and creating jobs.
Next month the second phase of the $1.5 billion development begins on a site of around 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) that includes Myint Win's farm. (Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)
The buildings sprang up during the first phase of developing the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a 6,200 acre (2,500-hectare) industrial project that is a joint venture between the governments of Myanmar and Japan and some private consortia.
The factories that have been built produce everything from children's toys to clothing, medical supplies to electronics.
For developing nations like Myanmar - which emerged from decades of economic isolation in 2011 when the military stepped back from direct control of the country - special economic zones are a way of attracting foreign investment and creating jobs.
Next month the second phase of the $1.5 billion development begins on a site of around 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) that includes Myint Win's farm. (Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)
Myanmar Fires Border Police Chief Over Deadly Insurgent Attacks
Myanmar has fired the police official charged with guarding its troubled border with Bangladesh, officials said on Monday, after deadly attacks that sparked fighting with insurgents allegedly inspired by Islamist militants.
Nine police officers were killed when three police posts in northern Rakhine State were overrun on Oct. 9 by attackers wielding automatic weapons, sticks and knives, and believed to belong to the mostly stateless Rohingya Muslim group.
"Necessary action will be taken against the responsible police officials for their negligence, which led to the loss of the lives of police personnel and the loss of weapons," said Major General Aung Soe, deputy minister for home affairs.
Aung Soe did not give specifics, but Police Brigadier General Maung Maung Khin, the border chief in Maungdaw township, the site of the attack, has been fired, said an official at police headquarters and an official of the Rakhine State government. (Courtesy of voanews.com)
Nine police officers were killed when three police posts in northern Rakhine State were overrun on Oct. 9 by attackers wielding automatic weapons, sticks and knives, and believed to belong to the mostly stateless Rohingya Muslim group.
"Necessary action will be taken against the responsible police officials for their negligence, which led to the loss of the lives of police personnel and the loss of weapons," said Major General Aung Soe, deputy minister for home affairs.
Aung Soe did not give specifics, but Police Brigadier General Maung Maung Khin, the border chief in Maungdaw township, the site of the attack, has been fired, said an official at police headquarters and an official of the Rakhine State government. (Courtesy of voanews.com)
End to US Sanctions a Boon Myanmar Economy, but Woes Remain
KFC's grinning Colonel Sanders and his goatee are among the few prominent signs of U.S. brands or business in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon.
That will likely change after President Barack Obama ended most remaining U.S. sanctions against this fledgling democracy on Oct. 7. But much hinges on how the government led by former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi revamps the country's outdated laws and other policies.
The U.S. had earlier broad prohibitions on investment and trade imposed on this Southeast Asian country of about 60 million over the past two decades. The more targeted restrictions that ended earlier this month were mostly on dealings with army-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. A ban on imports of jadeite and rubies from Myanmar also ended.
Up to now, the rush to invest in Myanmar has been dominated by Asian countries, especially China, its main investor and trading partner during its years of isolation. Most U.S. businesses and many other Western ones stayed away, mindful of fines potentially in the millions of dollars and jail terms of up to 20 years. (Courtesy of abcnews.go.com)
That will likely change after President Barack Obama ended most remaining U.S. sanctions against this fledgling democracy on Oct. 7. But much hinges on how the government led by former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi revamps the country's outdated laws and other policies.
The U.S. had earlier broad prohibitions on investment and trade imposed on this Southeast Asian country of about 60 million over the past two decades. The more targeted restrictions that ended earlier this month were mostly on dealings with army-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. A ban on imports of jadeite and rubies from Myanmar also ended.
Up to now, the rush to invest in Myanmar has been dominated by Asian countries, especially China, its main investor and trading partner during its years of isolation. Most U.S. businesses and many other Western ones stayed away, mindful of fines potentially in the millions of dollars and jail terms of up to 20 years. (Courtesy of abcnews.go.com)
Genocide of Rohingya in Myanmar may be entering new and deadly phase
The International State Crime Initiative (ISCI) at Queen Mary University of London has warned that reports of attacks against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar may signal a new phase in what ISCI researchers say is genocide.
The alleged reprisals against the Rohingya minority come after attacks on three Myanmar police posts in Northern Rakhine State, near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border on 9 October.
ISCI researchers say that credible reports are emerging of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and raids on Rohingya homes by Myanmar security forces. They caution that verifiable information is difficult to obtain, due to the notorious isolation and militarisation of Northern Rakhine State - and the intense persecution of those deemed critical of the government. (Courtesy of qmul.ac.uk)
The alleged reprisals against the Rohingya minority come after attacks on three Myanmar police posts in Northern Rakhine State, near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border on 9 October.
ISCI researchers say that credible reports are emerging of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and raids on Rohingya homes by Myanmar security forces. They caution that verifiable information is difficult to obtain, due to the notorious isolation and militarisation of Northern Rakhine State - and the intense persecution of those deemed critical of the government. (Courtesy of qmul.ac.uk)
October 16, 2016
The Latest Crisis in Arakan
The situation inside the Rohingya villages in north-western Arakan state of Myanmar, bordering Bangladesh, is dire. Another genocidal campaign has been launched by the government. As we have seen before with the previous military regimes, the new government of Aung San Suu Kyi has its version of justification for its heavy handed treatment of the minority Muslims.
According to government reports in the state media, armed men believed to be from the long-oppressed Rohingya Muslim minority launched a coordinated assault on predawn hours of October 9, killing nine police, injuring five and making off with 48 weapons of various types and 6624 rounds of assorted ammunition, 47 bayonets, and 164 magazines.
A statement from the office of Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw blamed the little-known "Aqamul Mujahidin" for the attacks around Maungdaw Township, a mainly Muslim area near the frontier with Bangladesh. "They persuade the young people using religious extremism, and they have financial support from outside," said the Burmese language statement. (Courtesy of asiantribune.com)
According to government reports in the state media, armed men believed to be from the long-oppressed Rohingya Muslim minority launched a coordinated assault on predawn hours of October 9, killing nine police, injuring five and making off with 48 weapons of various types and 6624 rounds of assorted ammunition, 47 bayonets, and 164 magazines.
A statement from the office of Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw blamed the little-known "Aqamul Mujahidin" for the attacks around Maungdaw Township, a mainly Muslim area near the frontier with Bangladesh. "They persuade the young people using religious extremism, and they have financial support from outside," said the Burmese language statement. (Courtesy of asiantribune.com)
Is Japan leaving the Rohingya out in the cold?
It all began when Zaw Min Htut learned he was on a list. Back then, however, he had a different name: Luk Man Hakim.
For three years he had been studying at Yangon University — not law or political science, like he dreamed of, but zoology, one of the subjects he was allowed to enrol in as a noncitizen.
Although he was born and raised in Myanmar and could trace his family history in the country back several generations, Zaw Min Htut was stateless. In an attempt to change this situation for himself and others in the same predicament, he had become one of the leaders of an underground pro-democracy movement. And in December 1996, the protest leaders took the bold step of launching street demonstrations against the country’s military government. (Courtesy of japantimes.co.jp)
For three years he had been studying at Yangon University — not law or political science, like he dreamed of, but zoology, one of the subjects he was allowed to enrol in as a noncitizen.
Although he was born and raised in Myanmar and could trace his family history in the country back several generations, Zaw Min Htut was stateless. In an attempt to change this situation for himself and others in the same predicament, he had become one of the leaders of an underground pro-democracy movement. And in December 1996, the protest leaders took the bold step of launching street demonstrations against the country’s military government. (Courtesy of japantimes.co.jp)
A List of Disastrous Consequences of the Military Assaults on Rohingya
The Burmese military began a full-blown military assault against the local Rohingya civilians taking advantage of a raid conducted by a group of assailants on BGP Headquarter on early Sunday morning. The full-blown military offensive since October 9 has led to following disastrous consequences. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Myanmar playing with fire on Rohingya issue
One can make a strong argument that the ongoing insurgent violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State has been in the making for some time now.
Just over a week ago, suspected Rohingya militants attacked three border posts, killing nine Myanmar police officers, The Global New Light of Myanmar reported. Official reports said 62 pieces of arms, 27 bullet cartridges and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen during the attack.
And then on Tuesday, the same government mouthpiece reported the death of four soldiers and one so-called culprit after troops were attacked "by hundreds of men armed with pistols, swords and knives". (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
Just over a week ago, suspected Rohingya militants attacked three border posts, killing nine Myanmar police officers, The Global New Light of Myanmar reported. Official reports said 62 pieces of arms, 27 bullet cartridges and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen during the attack.
And then on Tuesday, the same government mouthpiece reported the death of four soldiers and one so-called culprit after troops were attacked "by hundreds of men armed with pistols, swords and knives". (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
October 14, 2016
Myanmar blames Islamist group for attacks in Rohingya Muslim region
Myanmar's government said on Friday (Oct 14) a group inspired by Islamist militants was behind attacks on police border posts in its ethnically riven northwest, as officials said they feared a new insurgency by members of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
The sudden escalation of violence in Rakhine state poses a serious challenge to the six-month-old government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was swept to power in an election last year but has faced criticism abroad for failing to tackle rights abuses against the Rohingya and other Muslims.
A statement from the office of Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw blamed the little-known "Aqa Mul Mujahidin" for recent attacks around Maungdaw Township, a mainly Muslim area near the frontier with Bangladesh. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
The sudden escalation of violence in Rakhine state poses a serious challenge to the six-month-old government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was swept to power in an election last year but has faced criticism abroad for failing to tackle rights abuses against the Rohingya and other Muslims.
A statement from the office of Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw blamed the little-known "Aqa Mul Mujahidin" for recent attacks around Maungdaw Township, a mainly Muslim area near the frontier with Bangladesh. (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Myanmar gov't still to name group behind Rakhine attack
Myanmar’s military has captured another suspected militant following deadly attacks on police stations in troubled western Rakhine State.
But six days on, authorities are still to name the group responsible, with police and authorities blaming a shadowy militant group, local drug traffickers, and others speculating that the attacks may have been a set up to further trample the rights of a local Muslim population.
The man -- captured Thursday in Warpaik village in Rakhine’s Maungdaw Township during ongoing area clearance operations -- is the fifth to be held since at least 39 people -- nine police, four soldiers and 26 suspected attackers -- were killed following attacks on three police station outposts in Maungdaw and Yathay Taung townships early Sunday. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
But six days on, authorities are still to name the group responsible, with police and authorities blaming a shadowy militant group, local drug traffickers, and others speculating that the attacks may have been a set up to further trample the rights of a local Muslim population.
The man -- captured Thursday in Warpaik village in Rakhine’s Maungdaw Township during ongoing area clearance operations -- is the fifth to be held since at least 39 people -- nine police, four soldiers and 26 suspected attackers -- were killed following attacks on three police station outposts in Maungdaw and Yathay Taung townships early Sunday. (Courtesy of aa.com.tr)
Authorities Plot to Escalate Violence against Rohingya Using Hindus in Muslim Disguise
The Burmese authorities backed by an extremist section of Rakhine society are plotting to escalate an already ongoing military violence against the local Rohingya civilians in Maungdaw tonight by using some members of the local Hindu community, who look like Rohingyas in appearances, a reliable source reports.
The Hindus have been trained how to recite some Quranic verses and chant Takbir ‘Allahu Akbar.’ According to latest reports, around 100 Hindus have gathered before the Maungdaw Hospital in Muslim dress-up and disguised as local Rohingya Muslims since 9:00 PM (Myanmar Time).
They are expected to chat ‘Allahu Akbar’ and instigate local Muslims, who are unaware of the plot staged by the authorities, to violently act against the authorities tonight in the name of ‘Jihad.’ If not tonight, it is expected in anytime soon. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
The Hindus have been trained how to recite some Quranic verses and chant Takbir ‘Allahu Akbar.’ According to latest reports, around 100 Hindus have gathered before the Maungdaw Hospital in Muslim dress-up and disguised as local Rohingya Muslims since 9:00 PM (Myanmar Time).
They are expected to chat ‘Allahu Akbar’ and instigate local Muslims, who are unaware of the plot staged by the authorities, to violently act against the authorities tonight in the name of ‘Jihad.’ If not tonight, it is expected in anytime soon. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
OIC expresses concern over violence in Myanmar
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed grave concern at the eruption of violence in Rakhine state following attacks by unidentified insurgents against Myanmar border facilities on October a which resulted in the deaths of several security personnel and insurgents. The OIC calls for a full investigation into the incident to determine the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice.
The OIC has received disturbing reports of extra judicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, burning of houses, and arbitrary arrests by security forces in Maungdaw Township and other villages in Northern Rakhine State. The situation has caused many Rohingya to flee their villages and the subsequent blockade in the region has also left many in the area facing acute shortages of food, water and essentials. (Courtesy of pakobserver.net)
The OIC has received disturbing reports of extra judicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, burning of houses, and arbitrary arrests by security forces in Maungdaw Township and other villages in Northern Rakhine State. The situation has caused many Rohingya to flee their villages and the subsequent blockade in the region has also left many in the area facing acute shortages of food, water and essentials. (Courtesy of pakobserver.net)
New fears of communal violence in Myanmar
NINE police officers were killed early on October 9th in a series of apparently co-ordinated attacks on border-guard posts in the troubled state of Rakhine in Myanmar’s west. The attackers were armed with knives, slingshots and only a few guns—and reportedly made off with dozens more guns and thousands of bullets. The Buddhist majority in Rakhine has long oppressed the state’s Muslim Rohingyas. Now the victims may be starting to fight back.
Nobody has yet claimed responsibility, but police say the attackers—at least two of whom were captured and eight killed—were Rohingyas. One local official blamed the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, a militant group that has been dormant for decades. The two who were detained reportedly told authorities that they planned the raids with fellow locals. (Courtesy of economist.com)
Nobody has yet claimed responsibility, but police say the attackers—at least two of whom were captured and eight killed—were Rohingyas. One local official blamed the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, a militant group that has been dormant for decades. The two who were detained reportedly told authorities that they planned the raids with fellow locals. (Courtesy of economist.com)
October 13, 2016
At Least 200 Innocent Rohingya Killed by Burmese Forces and Rakhine Terrorists in Maungdaw
Now, at least 200 innocent Arakanese Rohingya civilians have been killed by Burmese forces and Rakhine (Mogh) terrorists on the allegation of attack on 9, October at three Border Guard Police camps in Maungdaw though the government hasn’t got clearance about the attackers yet, said an eye-witnessed from Rohingya.
It has been reportedly known that more than 300 guiltless Rohingya were severely wounded in different areas of Maungdaw where Burmese military forces, Border Guard Police (BGP) along with Buddhist terrorists have been continuing the ethnic cleansing operation again since 9, October. The wounded people are struggling with death as they cannot access to treatment.
According to some people, the tyrannical government forces have recently killed so many Rohingya civilians including children, juveniles and the old where some of the corpses have been hidden after massacre. They have already burnt fourteen Rohingya villages in Maungdaw too and planned to commit such inhumane and unlawful activities in Buthidaung. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
It has been reportedly known that more than 300 guiltless Rohingya were severely wounded in different areas of Maungdaw where Burmese military forces, Border Guard Police (BGP) along with Buddhist terrorists have been continuing the ethnic cleansing operation again since 9, October. The wounded people are struggling with death as they cannot access to treatment.
According to some people, the tyrannical government forces have recently killed so many Rohingya civilians including children, juveniles and the old where some of the corpses have been hidden after massacre. They have already burnt fourteen Rohingya villages in Maungdaw too and planned to commit such inhumane and unlawful activities in Buthidaung. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Military Photograph Rohingya Civilians by Giving Weapons into their Hands
Around 6:00 PM (Myanmar Time) on 13th October 2016, the Burmese military arrested 11 Innocent Rohingya civilians at ‘Zin Paing Nya (Zaa Moinna) hamlet of Thay Chaung (Baalu Khali) village tract in northern Maungdaw.
Then, the military took their photograps by forcibly giving Pistols and Swords into their hands. After that, the military took all of them to an unknown location.
“It certainly looks like a conspiracy by the military to show the Rohingya civilians as militants. If anybody disbelieves, the person can come here and ask from other eyewitnesses here,” an eyewitness said. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Then, the military took their photograps by forcibly giving Pistols and Swords into their hands. After that, the military took all of them to an unknown location.
“It certainly looks like a conspiracy by the military to show the Rohingya civilians as militants. If anybody disbelieves, the person can come here and ask from other eyewitnesses here,” an eyewitness said. (Courtesy of rvisiontv.com)
Death toll rises as Myanmar battles border attackers
Myanmar's security forces have now killed at least 26 people in response to attacks on police that have sparked a dramatic escalation in violence in a Muslim-majority region along its border with Bangladesh, according to reports in state media.
Armed men believed to be from the long-oppressed Rohingya Muslim minority launched a coordinated assault on three border police posts in the early hours Sunday, killing nine police, injuring five and making off with dozens of weapons and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
Military personnel and police reinforcements have poured into the Muslim-majority township of Maungdaw, northern Rakhine State, and have clashed with groups of up to 300 men, armed with pistols, swords and knives, according to official reports.
Human rights groups and advocates for the stateless Rohingya have voiced concern that the civilian population may be caught up in the authorities' violent response. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
Armed men believed to be from the long-oppressed Rohingya Muslim minority launched a coordinated assault on three border police posts in the early hours Sunday, killing nine police, injuring five and making off with dozens of weapons and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
Military personnel and police reinforcements have poured into the Muslim-majority township of Maungdaw, northern Rakhine State, and have clashed with groups of up to 300 men, armed with pistols, swords and knives, according to official reports.
Human rights groups and advocates for the stateless Rohingya have voiced concern that the civilian population may be caught up in the authorities' violent response. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
October 12, 2016
Violence in Myanmar Rakhine State, UN Urges Restraint
The U.N. special adviser on Myanmar called on civilians in troubled Rakhine state on Tuesday to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from responding to recent fighting that led to the deaths of security personnel as well as civilians.
Vijay Nambiar expressed concern at violent attacks by unidentified individuals and groups against border guards and security forces on Oct. 9 and subsequent fighting in three areas of Northern Rakhine, situated on Myanmar’s western coast, that resulted in the deaths.
Longstanding discrimination by majority Buddhists against Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine exploded into bloody violence in 2012. More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingyas, are still in displacement camps. (Courtesy of khaosodenglish.com)
Vijay Nambiar expressed concern at violent attacks by unidentified individuals and groups against border guards and security forces on Oct. 9 and subsequent fighting in three areas of Northern Rakhine, situated on Myanmar’s western coast, that resulted in the deaths.
Longstanding discrimination by majority Buddhists against Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine exploded into bloody violence in 2012. More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingyas, are still in displacement camps. (Courtesy of khaosodenglish.com)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Responds to Arakan State Attacks
Burma’s State Counselor and Foreign Affairs Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on Wednesday that she would not accuse any individual or organization before obtaining evidence regarding the culprits of the recent violent attack in Arakan State.
While responding to questions posed by journalists during a joint press conference of the State Counselor and her counterpart Bert Koenders, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Netherlands who is currently in Naypyidaw on an official visit, she pledged to handle the case “fairly” and manage the situation according to “rule of law.”
“We are not going to accuse anybody until we know clearly [who is behind the attack] and have solid evidence.”
According to information from the government, the Sunday attack on border guard headquarters and outposts in Maungdaw and Rathedaung Townships in Arakan State resulted in the death of nine police officers and eight alleged attackers.
A manhunt by security forces in Maungdaw Township reportedly involved the death of four soldiers and seven suspects. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
While responding to questions posed by journalists during a joint press conference of the State Counselor and her counterpart Bert Koenders, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Netherlands who is currently in Naypyidaw on an official visit, she pledged to handle the case “fairly” and manage the situation according to “rule of law.”
“We are not going to accuse anybody until we know clearly [who is behind the attack] and have solid evidence.”
According to information from the government, the Sunday attack on border guard headquarters and outposts in Maungdaw and Rathedaung Townships in Arakan State resulted in the death of nine police officers and eight alleged attackers.
A manhunt by security forces in Maungdaw Township reportedly involved the death of four soldiers and seven suspects. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
October 11, 2016
Burma’s Rohingya Need International Help Now More Than Ever
Earlier this year the United Nations published a report ‘Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar’, which concluded that human rights violations against us could amount to crimes against humanity.
The report also stated that the government of Burma needed to take urgent action to end the anti-Rohingya policies of past governments. The response of the NLD led government and rest of the international community was silence. Once again, evidence of violations of international law have been provided, and once again no action has been taken. Our suffering goes on.
Worse, the day after the UN report was published, European Union diplomats based in Burma announced that in response to a demand by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to avoid using the word Rohingya, they would also not use the word Rohingya when talking about Rohingya people. (Courtesy of huffingtonpost.co.uk)
The report also stated that the government of Burma needed to take urgent action to end the anti-Rohingya policies of past governments. The response of the NLD led government and rest of the international community was silence. Once again, evidence of violations of international law have been provided, and once again no action has been taken. Our suffering goes on.
Worse, the day after the UN report was published, European Union diplomats based in Burma announced that in response to a demand by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to avoid using the word Rohingya, they would also not use the word Rohingya when talking about Rohingya people. (Courtesy of huffingtonpost.co.uk)
October 9, 2016
Nine Myanmar police killed in attack on Bangladesh border
Nine Myanmar police officers were killed in coordinated attacks by insurgents on posts along the border with Bangladesh early Sunday, an official and police said.
No-one has claimed responsibility but a senior local Myanmar official pointed the finger at a militant group from the Muslim Rohingya minority that has been dormant for years.
The assaults hit three border posts around 1:30 am near Maungdaw in the impoverished western state of Rakhine, simmering with tensions between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingyas, who are forced to live in dire conditions. (Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)
No-one has claimed responsibility but a senior local Myanmar official pointed the finger at a militant group from the Muslim Rohingya minority that has been dormant for years.
The assaults hit three border posts around 1:30 am near Maungdaw in the impoverished western state of Rakhine, simmering with tensions between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingyas, who are forced to live in dire conditions. (Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)
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