October 2, 2016
Authorities have shut down many mosques and madrasas in Rathedaung township in the past few days.
Our correspondents in Mujai, Anak Parang, Zadi Parang, Rajar Bil, and Cinghali have confirmed religious institutions in their localities have been shut down by police and Hlun Htein on the pretext they were built without obtaining legal permission. The authorities have also said they are waiting for orders to demolish these structures.
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 mosques and madrasas would be demolished.
Rohingya activists have warned the demolition of Muslim buildings is a cover for mobilising nationalist forces who want a Muslim-free Arakan.
Meanwhile the demolition of mosques comes amidst dire food shortages in Mujai and Anak Parang, as Rohingyas face a severe blockade and are unable to travel to the rivers or woods to earn a livelihood.
While fishing and logging are the two remaining livelihood options for most Rohingyas in Arakan, Rakhine nationalist backed by government forces have long preyed on those who venture out of their territory to reach the rivers and forests from where they derive their livelihood. In Mujai and Anak Parang, livelihood activities have gradually come to a standstill, owing to continuous attacks by hostile Rakhine neighbours. Since then, they have been dependent solely on food handouts.
Both these villages lie in the midst of hostile Rakhine territory.
Continuous food shortages have forced many Rohingyas to leave the area and migrate to Bangladesh in the past few years. However, those moving out of the villages are from the relatively well off who can afford to settle somewhere else, while the poorest of the poor continue to stay on. Those left often do not eat for days, and generally depend on starch to survive.
Meanwhile a report by the Frontier on September 12 have confirmed the WFP has cut food aid to internally displaced persons to “support the transition to recovery in [parts of] Rakhine State … from March to December 2016”.
Activists have long warned Rakhine nationalists and government forces have employed a well devised strategy to starve out Rohingyas by preventing them access to livelihood and ultimately force them to leave the country. Locals in Rathedaung say the strategy is working well without attracting international attention.
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