September 30, 2016
Three people were arrested from their prayers after Hlun Htein soldiers broke the windows of a mosque and entered the building.
Md Mofiz, Noor Alam and Md Yunus from Pengdongpi para in Maungdaw were praying on Sunday evening prayers in the Nayapara mosque when six paramilitary soldiers surrounded the mosque and broke the windows. They then went in and handcuffed the men even as they were saying the prayers.
The men were later freed on the payment of a million kyats.
Earlier this month, 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. Officials have also said the first of these operations would be carried out in Maungdaw.
Rohingya activists have condemned the demolition plan as part of a blueprint to annihilate the Muslims from Arakan. They h
ave also warned the demolition of Muslim buildings is a cover for mobilising nationaislt forces who want a Muslim-free Arakan.
It is not known whether Sunday’s action is part of the demolition operation, but locals say the decision is likely to have encouraged the attack by Hlun Htein forces on the Nayapara mosque.
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