On 8th June 2012, after the Jummah/Friday prayer, some of the Rohingyas started a protest in Maungdaw Township against the killing of 10 Muslims by Buddhist vigilantes who intercepted the bus they were travelling on in Rakhine’s Taunggoke town. In the following event, Myanmar Police has open fire and more than a dozen residents were killed. A state of emergency was declared in Rakhine, paving the military to intervene in the administration of the region.
10 years after the incident, the lives of Rohingya in Myanmar have completely changed. Rohingyas who are now living in IDP camps in Myanmar resemble what the UN describe as detention centres since there have been a lot of restrictions imposed regarding the movement of anyone from within the camps and outside.
There are checkpoints every few meters. Journalists are forbidden from visiting and internet cuts have disallowed information to disseminate. The camps are fenced to keep people out. The police mistreatment has been famous for curfews, threats, and bribes.
These camps also have insufficient food stored for Rohingya families. Since any form of occupation or cash benefits is restricted, the Rohingya solely rely on assistance and relief materials provided by humanitarian workers. The limitation of food for the displaced Rohingya causes malnutrition among children and adults.
During the rainy season, the low-lying IDP faces floods, latrine pits runoff, and polluting hand pumps and wells. This results in water-borne diseases, for instance, acute diarrhoea and cholera, especially among children.
As for health concern, two healthcare centres and some casual clinics are functional within the camp areas but lacks professional or specialist doctors, sufficient drugs, and equipment for treatment.
In the span of 10 years, the Rohingya people faced endless brutality, injustice and genocide. While on the other hand. The international community should continue to raise its voice against the inhuman situation of the Rohingyas. Yet still, they are facing imprisonment for being culturally and religiously different.
If such a situation continues, one day the Rakhine state will be free of the Rohingya people and will render stateless fleeing from one place to another in utter uncertainty.
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