Muslim refugees fleeing riots in Kyaut Phyu were killed by Rakhines in Taung Phuu village, Paw Taw township.
On 24 October, Muslim refugees were escaping the riot in three engine-less ferries pulled by an engined-one. Rakhines followed them by a boat and hit the engined ferry, cutting the ropes connecting the ferries. As the ferries and the refugees started floating in the water, Rakhines attacked and chopped them with swords. Many people were killed. A majority of victims were women.
A 10 year old child landed on a river bank in Pak Taw. He was taken to a local police station “for investigation”, a resident from Paw Taw told M-Media.
Army units have already been deployed in Myae Pon for security, but Muslims are facing food shortage. Since authorities in Rakhine state are not helping Muslims, refugees are feeling that they will die of hunger and that the Rakhine state government is killing them by starving them, said a resident from Sittwe.
Many Muslims in Yine Thae (aka) Zulafaya village in Kyaut U have been killed as well, according to reports. M-Media has been informed that Police Chief Thar San himself is leading the brutal killing.
Many ethnic Kaman Muslims in Kyaut Phyu township have been injured and killed by Rakhines’ attacks today. Many houses were burnt down and destroyed as well.
M-Media’s local contacts said many Muslim families are trying to cross the sea towards Bangladesh to escape violence. There were 40 boats this morning, and another 30 were waiting for the tide good enough to move the boats.
“Many Muslims are dead due to Rakhines’ violence and terror today. We have only Bangladesh to run to, but we cannot run to anywhere else in Arakan state. If Bangladesh does not allow us to take refuge there, we can only be floating in the sea. We couldn’t bring food with us, and we don’t have fuel for the boats,” a Kyaut Phyu resident told M-Media as he sits on a boat.
His home was burnt down by Rakhines today.
A majority of Muslim residents in Kyaut Phyu are ethnic Kaman. M-Media learns that Rakhines have destroyed many mosques in Kyaut Phyu and that there are almost no Muslim left in town.
October 24, 2012
M-Media
Reporting by Nattaw Thurein
Copies of anti-Muslim letters in Burmese language titled “Future Myanmar and Bengali” are spreading in Yangon’s outskirts.
The letters and copies, distributed by a group called Patriotic Youth Network, are spreading in Dala and Hlaing Thar Yar townships. The letters are now being distributed via emails, blogs and Facebook.
Since the Arakan conflict started in June this year, the majority in Myanmar has been more openly attacking Islamic faith and Muslims with offensive words and images.
Before the Arakan conflict, anti-Muslim campaigns took place only on social media websites such as blogs and Facebook where people distributed anti-Islam and hate messages.
But the anti-Muslim campaigners have now started the campaigns in many towns and cities in Myanmar including Yangon, Mandalay, Pa-an and Mawlamyein, making many Muslims worried that the conflict in Arakan state will spread to entire country.
Patriotic Youth Network’s anti-Muslim letter accuses Banglis of dominating Yangon and 70% of its economy. The letter mentions businesses and companies owned by Muslims making false accusations.
The accusations include conspiracies that the burmese young ladies’ half-naked dress during the Buddhist water festival this year was sponsored by Muslims. It also accused a Muslim company for destroying the Burmese culture by sponsoring a fashion show on a Buddhist holiday where the women wear sexy dresses.
The letter is not based on reliable studies or investigations, but makes claims without evidence.
Islamic organizations in the country have reported the government and authorities several time about the on-going anti-Muslim campaigns, but the reform government in Myanmar, led by President Thein Sein, has not taken any actions against anti-Muslim and hate campaigns that are more and more widespread and open each day.
At Kyaut Phyu, more than 30,000 Muslims are being blocked on the bank of the stream. Rakhines are attacking them. Muslims are being killed one after after as they resist.
According to Daw Hla Kyi, everything in Kyuat Phyu had been burnt to the ground since before noon today. Rakhines are attacking Muslims with swords. Muslim men are resisting them, and women and children are running here and there.
