Maungdaw, Arakan State: A group of army personnel from Marawaddy army outpost destroyed betel farms of Rohingya in Maungdaw south on June 22, for firewood, Hussain Ahamed from Aley Than Kyaw said.
Army personnel took the bamboos and small woods to their camp after destroying betel farms as the recent situation in the area is very difficult to collect firewood from the forest for heavy raining, Hussain said.
Some owners have been identified as Abdul Monaf (40), son of Azhar, Shobbir Hussain (30), son of Habibullah, Hamidullah (25), son of Gul Ahamed, Abdu Monaf (40), Kala Meah and Hamid Hossain, they all hailed from Khonza Bill (Kan Hpoo) village of Aley Than Kyaw under the Maundaw township.
According to villagers, mostly Rohingya are farmers, they are farming betel farms nearby forest for their survival and benefit.
Sources also said that the owners of betel farms spent more money for their farms but they had lost everything now.
An owner of farm (not to be mentioned his name) said, “I am very sad as my farm is already destroyed by army personnel. I am worry how to feed my family as this is only my source of income.”
The owner also said that the concerned authority (army, police and Hluntin) frequently harass, disturb and destroy the poverty of Rohningya in northern Arakan State, but they don’t want the development of Rohingay community and the areas.
KALADAN PRESS NETWORK 