September 28, 2016
A tense atmosphere is prevailing in Pathor Keela after Rakhine traders warned Rohingyas to stock up their supplies and not set foot outside their homes on Friday.
These threats were made at the Longraton marketplace on Thursday and although the rumours cannot be confirmed, terror has pervaded the Rohingya community. Many Rohingyas in the area have told our local correspondent they will avoid going outdoors on Friday. However, as Friday is the day of the Muslim Jumma prayers, there are fears that tensions will take place around the prayer congregations for which most Muslims are likely to venture out.
Much of these recent tensions are centred around the planned destruction of supposedly illegal mosques and Muslim houses. Ten days earlier, Arakan State’s Security and Border Affairs Minister, Colonel Htein Lin announced that almost 3,000 buildings associated with Rohingya Muslims, including 12 mosques and 35 madrasas would be demolished. The brunt of this operation is supposed to take place in Maungdaw, but there are fears in the minority Muslim townships such as Pathor Keela that hostile neighbours will use the demolishment plan as a tool for mobilising against the Muslims. Their panic increased after battles were thrown at a Rohingya rickshaw puller near the market place. The man identified as 35 year Kamal Sharif escaped unscathed from the incident.
Rohingya activists have condemned the demolition plan as part of a blueprint to annihilate the Muslims from Arakan.
Similarly there is terror and panic in parts of Maungdaw and Buthidaung town after reports that Hlun Htein officials have threatened a bloody Friday to wreak havoc on religious establishments and Muslim houses.
