Maungdaw, Arakan State| More than 60 villagers including village administrators were summoned by the commander of Nasaka area No. 7, yesterday, at about 3:00 pm, said one of the local village Administrator from Aley Than Kyaw.
“Villagers were called to the village of Khonza Bill under the Aley Than Kyaw village tract and ordered them not to go out of the houses from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.”In the meeting, the Nasaka commander discussed many different issues with village leaders and administrators regarding the present situation of Arakan State, said an aide of Nasaka.
The Nasaka commander told the participants that every villager must have to inform to the concerned authorities, if any relative pays a visit. The officer also told that if there any event happens in a village such as burning houses, it will not be informed to any department.
“If anyone doesn’t comply with the order, he/she will be punished according to the law,” the commander added.
A participant, named Mohammed Taher asked the Nasaka Commander a question regarding some Rohingya farmers who live in huts outside of village to look after their crop fields. He asked whether a permit is necessary for such purpose.
The commander replied the question by saying that who wants to live out of the village, they have to give information to the concerned authorities to get permission, said a participant on condition of anonymity. It is another tactic for arbitrary arrests of the villagers by giving allegations, according to villagers.
“Many people say, the present government is moving into democracy, but in fact, it is not changing in rural areas. It is worse than previous one. President’s mind set is not changed, so far, though he has changed into civilian clothes his mind is as it was before”, said a politician.
Source link: http://www.kaladanpress.org/news/328-news-2013/march-2013/4134-nasaka-commander-summons-villagers-in-maungdaw-south