April 26, 2017
Maungdaw- A Rakhine mob set fire on an ancient mosque in Zay De Pyin in Rathedaung and then surrounded Rohingya Muslims who extinguished the fire.
At around 9.30am on Tuesday, a small group of miscreants set fire to the mosque which is said to have been built in the late 19th century. When local Muslims rushed to the spot, hundreds of Rakhines came to the spot and surrounded them, shouting out obscenities against the Rohingyas and the Islamic religion.
However, the Rohingyas managed to douse the fire though it did cause some damage to the interior.
Hlun Htein personal were present at the spot but did not do anything at first. However, at around 2am, they arrested eight Rohingyas who along with others were protesting the arson attack.
The arrested Rohingyas were released at around 8am the next morning, but were assaulted in custody and threatened with dire consequences if they pursued the matter. It has also been said they would later be called in for questioning.
A tense situation is prevailing in the area as Rakhine gangs maintain a vigilant position, with many fearing a repeat of 2012-like riots in the near future.
