Buthidaung, Arakan State: The police from Buthidaung Town arrested 16 Rohingya villagers from Phone Nyo Hlake village of Buthidaung Township on June 4, at around 10 p.m. on the allegation that they had received money from foreign countries from their relatives, said a relative one of the victims requesting anonymity.
On being tipped off, seven policemen led by Naytin (area controlling) police officer from Buthidaung police station went to the village and arrested 16 Rohngya villagers while they were sleeping.
They were taken to Buthidaung Naytin police office where they were detained for two days to extort money. However, they were released on June 7, after being bribed kyat 100,000 for each person, said a trader in Buthidaung Town.
Police tend to arrest Rohingya villagers on the streets, while going to markets, and other places wherever they meet them on fabricated and concocted cases to extort money. In brief, Rohingy community has become their (police) income source, said a schoolteacher in the locality.
"Many youths are leaving the country to seek jobs in foreign countries because of persecution, restrictions on movement and unemployment in the homeland. They send money to their parents and relatives occasionally. Is it a crime?" a village elder asked.
Many villagers complained to the higher authorities, but they did not take any action against the perpetrators. The police are being encouraged to commit crimes against the Rohingya community, said another trader in Buthidaung.
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