Who Holds Real Power in Myanmar?

No Buddhist leader except Dalai Lama condemned the violence of Rakhine Buddhists.

(SITTWE AKYAB, Myanmar) - Nearly four months after the bloodiest clashes between Myanmar's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and stateless Rohingya left the western town of Sittwe in flames, nobody knows when and how the problem can be solved.

While the Rahkine can move freely, can do their jobs as usual, nearly one million Rohingya have effectively been confined to a series of rural displaced camps and in detentions, they can’t move freely, can’t go to schools and jobs, their lives are worse than prisoners.

Rohingya are heavily discriminated and alleged that they are intruders who came from neighboring Bangladesh to steal scarce land of Rakhine. Rohingya are protected in camps and in some villages but they are not allowed to go out for security concern.

Elsewhere in Rakhine state, the army has resumed forced labor against Muslims, ordering villagers to cultivate the military's paddy fields, act as porters and rebuild destroyed homes of Rakhine Buddhists, according to a report by the Arakan Project, an activist group.

Raping Rohingya girls and ladies, looting their properties, and torturing are continuously carried on by NaSaKa, security forces, and polices. Rohingya people do not know to whom they need to appeal their cases; they don’t know who has real power, Rakhine authority or central government.

Financial Blocks to Rohingyas in MinBya, Friday, 5th August 2012

MinBya, Arakan- Myanmar Agricultural Bank in MinBya Township has stopped giving out agricultural loans to Rohingyas in the area. Besides, the bank refused to give back the savings of Rohingya farmers in the banks, too.

“The Bank Manager U Thar Aye, a strong supporter of Rakhine National Development Party (RNDP), said upon the requests of Rohingya farmers that Bank officials would go to their villages and disburse the loans to the farmers.

But no official from the bank has gone to Rohingyas’ villages to give out the loans. Besides, Rohingyas are unable to withdraw their savings from the bank” said a Rohingya on phone from MinBya.

Myanmar government provides an amount of Kyat 50,000 loans and Kyat 10,000 loans for the monsoon agriculture (such as Paddy crops) and other seasonal crops respectively to the farmers through the agricultural banks in Myanmar. The interest rate of the loan is 1.25% a month.

The farmers need to settle the old loans before taking out a new one. Like others, Rohingya farmers in MinBya had received the loans till February 2012.

Even though Rohingya farmers have settled their old loans, the new loans are not given out to them. Sadly, they can’t go the main branch of the bank situated in the downtown of MinBya for the fear of being attacked by Rakhine extremists. For the worse, Rohingyas farmers are unable to get back their 7-year savings in the banks.

As a result, they are struggling to survive and having great difficulty in their agriculture of paddy crops which their life-line. And Rohingya farmers are afraid of going to their farms because many farmers are being inhumanely killed by Rakhine extremists in Pauk Taw and MinBya.

One Rohingya youth, Amanullah, who is 16-years old, is the son of U Abdu Rashid who lives in West Gaudusara Village, Maungdaw South. He was killed by Border Security Forces, NaSaKa on 3rd October, 2012. The two youths were returning from Kayindan Quarter to Pandaw Pyin, after their shopping. They were called by NaSaKa at 5:30 PM on that day while on the road. The friend of Amanullah from Pandaw Pyin was released alone after he was severely tortured.

Spark in Bangladesh

Hundreds of Buddhist Monks peacefully demonstrated in front of Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon to protest recent attacks against Buddhist temples on 5th October 2012.

Rohingya leaders including U Kyaw Myint, former C.R.P.P member, fully condemned the communal violence of Bangladesh. Rohingya people can realize the feeling of the Rakhine minority in Bangladesh as they have been suffering in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

When our houses and Mosques were being burnt, our Rohingya people were being killed in inhumane ways, I personally appealed to the Buddhists World for help, and no Buddhist leader except Dalai Lama condemned the violence of Rakhine Buddhists.

We should condemn every one of those who involved in violence and killed but we are not allowed to insult other religion, Myanmar monks have right to protect against violence in Bangladesh but they have no right to insult religion, in the below picture, monks insult not only Islam but also other religions which believe that everything in nature has a soul such as Brahmanism and Shintoism.

Rohingya and Burmese People

Due to the racist propaganda of different Burmese regime throughout its history, most of Burmese people including young Rohingya generation could not have the chance to know Rohingya people and the term “Rohingya.” Burmese regime could easily crack down all demonstrations including saffron but when time came for Rohingya, the regime had no idea how to stop Rakhine terrorists.

War in Kachin State is remarkable evidence that Myanmar regime’s hand is still on all the government structures, late military leaders involve in all political fields. The Myanmar government could stop Rakhine Buddhists easily but it gave license to Rakhine for annihilation of Rohingya in the name of national security. Rakhine Buddhists have been taking military training everywhere in Arakan State and building strong army while Rohingya have nothing for survivals.

Rakhine Buddhists believe that they are Aryan descendants who are the most superior, who take care of their race much more than other race, which call fatherland as German Aryan contrast to Rohingya people who say Arakan is our mother land. Rakhine claimed that they are the sole origin in Arakan State ignoring the authentic historical records Rohingya.

Movement is still restricted for Rohingya people in all parts of Rakhine state, preventing all Rohingya villagers from going to work, accessing markets, food supplies, health services and education but Rakhine Buddhists gain more and more rights which includes building strong army , every township of Arakan State, Rakhine are taking military training, every Rakhine aged 16-50 are compulsory for that training.

Rakhine Political parties agreed that they should have an army stronger than Kachin , their main demands are building a strong military of their own, autonomy and annihilation of Rohingya people. Unlike Kachin State, the government give chances to Rakhine, either government is developing racism or Rakhine Buddhists control the whole Myanmar; 90% of monks in Myanmar are Rakhine, most of them knew Bangali language , and most of have relatives in Bangladesh who are Bangladeshi.

“The Rohingya people are peace-loving, cooperative, and obedient people. They want to live in Burma in peace and security, abiding the laws of the country, according to the constitution, but they want guarantees from the local, state and national governments that they will be treated equally. They should have all rights. The Rohingya people want to make sure that they are bona fide citizens recognized as an indigenous people of Arakan under the current Burmese constitution.”

We should endeavor to create an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence in Arakan State where all Burmese citizens can live together peacefully and in happiness. We should try to make Arakan like Golden Ages of Mrauk U dynasty when Muslims , Buddhists and other religious persons had lived harmoniously and had made Golden Arakan.

We would like to request the United States government, European Union countries, non-aligned movement, the Asian countries, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and international non-governmental organizations to send international observers into all townships where Rohingya people are suffering persecution and put pressure on the government of Myanmar to restore peace and promote reconciliation between the Rohingya and Rakhine.

All Rohingya people living in Arakan State are facing an extremely deadest situation, their lives are in danger everywhere in the Arakan State, and they are looking forward help from international community for humanitarian aids and justice.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Truth Fighter October 27, 2012 8:17 pm (Pacific time)

What a stupid writer!!!
Beware of your fake story

Editor: That's a funny accusation considering you admit in your name that you fight the truth.

zaw October 19, 2012 12:39 am (Pacific time)

Editor, you should not have published the fake photo with a monk and a gun. You are like publishing a photo of fire burning with water. Why do you want to insult buddhist monks anyway?

Editor: Hey I just publish the news, if you are suggesting many Buddhist monks in Burma aren't killers then you're either ignorant or you are lying.

shwe man October 18, 2012 11:25 am (Pacific time)

i don't believe this news.arakanese people is honasty and pity.

Soe Soe October 17, 2012 2:19 pm (Pacific time)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=447387068630263andset=a.447387025296934.92866.401328859902751andtype=1andtheater Buddhist Monks in Southern Thailand have to take bullet-proof bikes these days to go for Daily Alms-round, in order to get protection because of the violent Muslim Terrorists there.

Soe Soe October 17, 2012 2:08 pm (Pacific time)

Dear John Smith , October 7, 2012 4:17 pm (Pacific time) Your excellent comment HITS THE TARGET well and Truly in the EYE . ((If you don't like the country, don't live there..... No point complaining about it...... Also, where do you get the stupid data like "90% of monks in Myanmar are Rakhine"? Are you a retard or what?)))) Bravo !!! !

Anonymous October 17, 2012 2:03 pm (Pacific time)

"comment made by (( John Smith October 7, 2012 4:17 pm (Pacific time) If you don't like the country, don't live there. No point complaining about it. Also, where do you get the stupid data like "90% of monks in Myanmar are Rakhine"? Are you a retard or what?)).... Hello John Smith, Your excellent comment HITS THE TARGET well and truly in the EYE ,,,,,, Bravo !!!!

Min Htet October 10, 2012 9:28 pm (Pacific time)

You are talking about Rakhine Buddhism in Burma and you put Thai Buddhist monk. If you are TRUE Editor you must know different between Burmese Monk and Thai Monk. You should realize now that you don't have enough knowledge about religion. Respect other people and religion Editor U.S. Marine. Freedom of Write is good but don't hurt other.

Burmese Soldier October 10, 2012 8:47 am (Pacific time)

The picture of Monk with a weapon is a fake photo. Create with Photoshop. You can see there is no hand on gun, and the size of weapon and the monk. All are fakes.

Editor: Well I was a U.S. Marine and I don't think we can reach your conclusion so simply. As a soldier, you surely know that weapons of this type have a sling and this allows the weapon to be carried with no hands. The fact that it appears to be a U.S. weapon is in my view, the icing on the cake. We have no idea how tall the guy is, the photo looks real and from what I understand it is, and it is not such a rarity.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 10:22 pm (Pacific time)

By the way, Buddhism is not religion. If you think, Buddhism is religion you are mistaken. True Buddhists don't believe in God as well as they don't kill others in the name of God.

Editor: I know, 'faith' is correct and I am a big fan of everything good about Buddhism, I hope you realize that.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 10:19 pm (Pacific time)

" the Japanese during WWII who tortured and even cannibalized American POW's"

This is nothing to do with Buddhism. Back then, they were fascists. Japaneses fascists killed thousands of people in Burma too.

I would suggest you should look into with open mind otherwise I hate see another fox news site in Oregon.

Editor: I am going to start deleting your stupid fox news references, the joke is that you are sticking up for killers and that is very FOX-like, we are reporting truth which is unpopular, again very unlike Fox News.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 10:02 pm (Pacific time)

"Also, consider what happened in Cambodia in the mid-70 "

In Cambodia, they claimed to be Communists and they didn't claim to be Buddhists. You are obviously confused. They were not killing their own citizen in the name of Buddha or Buddhism. You should do some homework before calling yourself an editor.

Editor: It is not what I call myself, OK? I am the editor, and I am citing problems that have occurred in primarily Buddhist countries to open your eyes, that is all.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 9:48 pm (Pacific time)

Obviously, the write is clearly confused different between ethic conflicts and religious issues. 4% populations are Islam and they are happily living throughout the country.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 9:50 pm (Pacific time)

Again, you knew yourself that you can't put my comments because this article is taking out of context! Another fox news in Oregon!!!

Editor: We oppose Murder and root for peace, not much like FOX News.

Min Htet October 8, 2012 9:37 pm (Pacific time)

I would like to suggest to the writer that you must understand the Buddhism. Buddhist monks are never kill people even animal. The keep peaceful mind as their life. take a look a picture carefully, it's making it up and not true. Look to the world, is there any Buddhisms are violance to other people? I don't think so. You can not mix with Military junta with Buddhist Monk.

Editor: Of course, there are several distinct groups of Buddhists in the world, we are talking about Rakhine Buddhists and Sinhala Buddhists. Also, consider what happened in Cambodia in the mid-70's and especially recall the brutality of the Japanese during WWII who tortured and even cannibalized American POW's. I think preaching the sanctity of Buddhists is impossible as it is for any faith. The problem is that these violent Buddhist sects have kept their real identities hidden from the world and we are here to make sure that false view ends.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 9:33 pm (Pacific time)

By the way, generalization to particular group is not professional. I never generalize Muslims, there are good people and there are extremists. If you want donations for you website, there is always different way to get funds. You don't have to make it up.

Editor: You sure have a lot to say to me, try making a point toward those causing the violence in Burma.

Htet Maw (Portland, Or) October 8, 2012 9:31 pm (Pacific time)

Have you been to Burma? If not, Please go to Burma and investigate, be professional, otherwise calling your website award winning professional journalists is a joke! There is stories from both sides.

Editor: That does not change what is taking place, we never would say the problems are on one side. You really are missing the point in your zealous advocacy for your religion.

Htet Maw ( Portland, OR) October 8, 2012 9:17 pm (Pacific time)

In a sign of propaganda and counter-propaganda, even western journalists and human rights activities are taking side in Burma conflict to paint the story in a way of polarity. Yellow journalism has been prevalent in Burma conflicts for decades. Most western journalists covering Rakhine State (Western Burma) riots do not want to go the ground, not necessarily because they are prohibited by the government. They claim to write a story based on "on the ground sources" from hundreds of thousands of miles away from incident. Pigeonholing information and spinning a story to a snap shot of event is actually fueling the conflict.

Editor: Oh yeah, all we have to do is overlook the terrible ethnic cleansing right? You have no idea how ridiculous it sounds to have you call us names. You are a propagandist, yes?

hla hla October 8, 2012 9:14 pm (Pacific time)

A monk holding gun? Come on this is not Burmese monk! Give me a break!!!! I guess whoever wrote this article fail to understand the real situations.

Editor: Why are you posting under different names from the same IP?

Maung Maung October 8, 2012 9:11 pm (Pacific time)

OMG! Seriously? By the way, no Muslims leader condem violence of Muslims who burning villages in Western Burma as well. Just FYI.

Editor: We condemn all violence and that includes the attacks on Buddhists in Bangladesh, totally wrong and unacceptable.

Joe October 8, 2012 9:08 pm (Pacific time)

1) Where do you get the picture of monk who holds gun?

2) Do you even understand the meaning of Buddhism? No source, no facts, just taking of context!

3) The Sri Lankan Buddhist war criminal has nothing to do with Burma.

4) Both sides died, and you have to look into military junta.

5) Buddhisum does not advocate killing of others.

5) I can keep going on and on but if you are true journalists, you will not taking out of context.

Editor: Then why are the Buddhists killing the Muslims?

Kevin October 8, 2012 9:04 pm (Pacific time)

You can't just make it up! Period. Taking out of Context?

Burmese from Portland October 8, 2012 8:46 pm (Pacific time)

You are not qualified to write this story. A person who never been to Burma or a person who has no clue about Burma.

Editor: I know you can look at this story and observe that it is completely local and published here only. I edit the English because it is local, hope that makes you feel better. And for the record, I would be EXTREMELY qualified to write any story I set out to write. That is the line the Sri Lankan Buddhist war criminals used to justify the ethnic cleansing of Tamils, you are wrong friend.

burmese from portland October 8, 2012 6:09 pm (Pacific time)

Burmese Monk don't wear that color of clothing. You have baseless claim on your article. Shame on YOU Salem-news.com

Editor: For the record, here are three very identifiable photos of orange-robed Buddhist monks in Burma, and at least two of them have ethnic cleansing messages written on the palm of their hand. Please don't try to change facts burmese from portland.

A Tribute to Buddhism

NY Times

archive.wn

Salem-News.com is the messenger, please don't get mad at us and try to work from within your community to end the violence, please.

John Smith October 7, 2012 4:17 pm (Pacific time)

If you don't like the country, don't live there. No point complaining about it. Also, where do you get the stupid data like "90% of monks in Myanmar are Rakhine"? Are you a retard or what?

Editor: No but I think you are. I hate it when morons put me in remedial teaching mode for super basic stuff. 'Don't live there' - and you call someone else a retard?

First they came for the communists,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

    Then they came for the socialists,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

    Then they came for the trade unionists,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

    Then they came for me,
    and there was no one left to speak for me.

That's why John

Azmi October 7, 2012 11:51 am (Pacific time)

The world community , UN, OIC and USA should send Peace force urgently otherwise Rohingya community have right to send force by all means to protect the nation.

abdulhafiz October 7, 2012 5:51 am (Pacific time)

Absolutely right! Akyab

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