October 24, 2012
M-Media
Reporting by Htun Taut
At 9:30 AM
“Rakhine Student Union is gathering people now to stage a rally at Lawkananda pagoda in Sittwe. They said their purpose is to expand teaching supports. They said they would call for removing Muslim villages from areas near Sittwe Technical College. The villages being targeted are Ka Din Pait, Bu May and BU May Latamar. The Student Union would also call for banning Muslim students from going to the same school with Rakhine students.”
October 24, 2012
M-Media
Reporting by Htun Taut
At 4:45 AM
A local resident at Kyat Phyu talked to M-Media at 4:45 AM today. At the moment he was talking to us in tears, he was running. “I am from Kyaut Phyu. The situation is very bad here. Yesterday, they [Rakines] started burning houses at about 7 AM in Pait Te (aka Pait Seit). 60 houses and one mosque were burnt down by Rakhines. We tried to extinguish fire, but the Fire Department did not allow us to do. The army shot people who went to extinguish fire. Now 5 people have been shot dead and 8 injured. Out of 8 people, two were chopped by Rakhines with swords. We are minority, how can we resist them? So, we have to run away. Rakhines shot us with jingali [local weapon similar to arrow]. The army and police also shot people. We have only a stream to run to. Now we have put women and children on boats. The Navy said they would shoot us if we start boat engines. What should we do? We don’t have anywhere to run to? Please pray for us”.
At 9:18 AM
Another local resident talked to M-Media at 9:18 AM. “Now Rakhines are setting fire on Muslims’ wards from all four sides. There are Rakhine houses in these wards. But their houses are smalls. We don’t have anywhere to go. What can we do”.
October 23, 2012
M-Media
Reporting by Htun Tauk
In Kyauk Phyu Township, Rakhine State, after burning down the West Ward Mosque by Rakhine terrorists last night, the authority
falsely arrested a young Muslim who was assigned as a guard for that mosque for this fire-raising. The authority accused him of this arson instead of catching true Rakhine terrorists who committed this. Now about 300 Rakhines coming from other townships are mobbing in Kyauk Phyu. Though military forces have covered the township, they cannot control the riot.
“Rakhine terrorist declared their plan to destroy Muslims’ houses by fire. The army forbade their plan. But they replied the army that they would not certainly obey the army’s command and surely burn down the Muslims’ properties. And they also challenged the army that the only way to stop their activity is shooting to kill them. Now, 7 trucks of soldiers are securing the township. Last night, while burning down the mosque in the West Ward, a car drove violently across the East Pipesite Ward with high speed up to three times. At the third time, the local people were shocked and so drove away. During this arson, another Rakhine terrorist groups from Sapyin Kwinn Village which is only separated from the West Ward by an old dried fish farm tried to involve in the attack on the West Ward. That’s why police force had to stop them. And an honest Rakhine secretly informed that terrorist groups would offend another attacks on Muslims at noon. So, we are now distressing,” a Kyauk Phyu resident worriedly said to M-Media.
October 23, 2012, 9:50 Myanmar Standard Time
M-Media
Reporting by Htun Taut
Rakhine extremists burnt down Thardar village at 4 PM today. More than 250 houses were set on fire, and more than 1,150 people had to flee the village.
Buddhist Rakhines also burnt down entire village named Kyait Taung at 4:15 PM today. M-Media learns that more than 170 houses were burnt and more than 1,000 people from the village are now on the run.
A resident in Mrauk U, who is also on the run, told M-Media “Rakhine terrorists are getting worse and worse. They now target Muslims towards genocide. I see that they will turn against Burmese after Muslims. Rakhines want to establish their own independent country. If the government cannot control now, I am sure their next target will be the Burmese”.
Muslims are having troubling communicating with people outside conflict areas as their communication has been blocked by the authorities.
M-Media gathers information that the military has confiscated telephones owned by Muslims. According to M-Media’s local contact, some of the confiscated phone numbers include 09-421714097, 09-421735088, 09-421735059, and 09-421741859.
Earlier today, Rakhines attacked and burnt down houses in Yaing Te village at 7 AM. Entire village was burnt to the ground. Rakhines beat up Muslims with sticks and chopped them with swords. Although the military came, it could not control the mob and therefore left the scene.
In Yaing Te village, more than 100 houses were destroyed, and more than 100 Muslims have been killed. The exact number of missing persons are not yet available.
October 22, 2012
M-Media
Reporting by Zarni
A 74 years old Karen Muslim man who was beaten by Buddhist monks in Pa-an (Karen State) last month has passed away.
On September 5th, the man was coming home from a mosque after morning prayer. He was beaten up by three or four monks who accused him of crossing through the line of monks accepting morning donation.
The beating injured him seriously and left him with broken ribs. He was left along on the ground.
The Myanmar Muslim National League (Karen State branch) reported this incident to local authorities including deputy director of religious ministry, local police department, and the chief township office in Karen State. No effective actions were taken.
He was the resident of a small village name Nitchin in Karen state. He was visiting his daughter in Pa-an where he was beaten last month, and passed away on October 22nd.
Related report about the incident is available here: http://news.mms