Security forces photograph Rohingya families in Buthidaung

Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org
January 18, 2008

Buthidaung, Arakan State: Burma’s Border Security Force has been taking photographs of Rohingya families in Buthidaung Township since 2nd January, 2008.

The security forces, or Nasaka, are taking family group photographs (6" X 4") of Rohingya families and collecting kyat 2,000 to 2,500 from each household, says a local schoolteacher. Last year, Nasaka first photographed families in Buthidaung in order to collect census data and money.

If any family wants to remove the name of member from the list because of a death, a bride who has moved to the husband’s home, or having gone abroad for political or economic reasons, the family will have to pay kyat 2,000 to 3,000 to Nasaka.

To increase the number of members in the family list, because of a birth or a bride who has moved in with the family has to pay kyat 3,000 to 5,000, the teacher says.

The Nasaka is comprised of personnel from the army, police, immigration, customs, and military intelligence. Several groups of Nasaka led by sergeants checked all the families to see whether any person was absent from the family list. They also checked the livestock list of each family.

In Taung Bazar village tract, which consists of Yanma, Ngaran Chaung, Pauktaw Pyin and Kyee Hnoke Thei villages, the Nasaka found that 20 families had increased by new births and others lost family members who went abroad. To reduce or increase the number of family members on the list the Nasaka demands 3 gallons of kerosene or kyat 5,000 for each person. To increase or decrease the number of cows, buffaloes or goats on the livestock list, families are fined kyat 500 to 1000, said a resident who was recently photographed.

The Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) members are responsible for providing Nasaka with lunch, tea, and cigarettes while they are taking the census data. In the evening the Nasaka returns to its nearby camp.

Since January 1, Nasaka also has been taking photographs of and collecting money from Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw Township. In southern Maungdaw Nasaka is collecting kyat 2,500 per family and kyat 2,000 in the northern side. If anybody is absent in the period of checking, he must pay kyat 5,000 as a fine for photograph next time.

Meanwhile, during the period of family listing, Rohingya wishing to get married must first seek permission from Burmese authorities, which can take up to three years to be granted. To speed up the process, say residents, payment of up to kyat 60,000 must be made to authorities, depending on the financial status of the family. Rohingya are the only group in Burma who are forced to seek the government’s approval before marriage.