Rakhine flee from strife in Bangladesh

Tribespeople from the Rakhine who have been living in Bangladesh are gradually moving back to Myanmar to avoid harassment by “Bengalis” who have returned to their native land following riots and communal violence in the western state.  A total of 161 families of Rakhine tribes living in Bangladesh, including Rakhine, Myo, Dainat, Mayamargyi and Thet have crossed the border into Myanmar, border officials said.

These families have been entering into Myanmar since October 2012, passing through Maungdaw. They have come from mountain areas of Bangladesh close to the border with Myanmar. Most are rural peasants. 

They claimed to have been harassed by “Bengalis” who crossed back into Bangladesh after the crises in Rakhine state last year. They claimed returnees moved on to their property and local authorities did nothing to stop this.

“We are peasants. They intruded on our lands. We don’t get the right to own these lands from the Bangladesh government, but Bengalis do. We can’t sue them. We are losing our land and our generations will be bullied by them in next era,” said Aung Naing Tun, a migrant who came from Bangladesh.

“It took two days for me to reach Maungdaw from where I lived. I earnt my living cutting bamboo and wood [in Bangladesh]. The Bengalis usually bullied me and grabbed my wood and bamboo. Now, two families have moved here. More will come,” said Hla Nu Maung, who arrived recently. He now lives at Baho Buddhist Monastery. “We don’t know where to go and live. We have never been here,” he said.

Myanmar authorities have settled some of these people in Bawdigone, Aungtharyar, Laungdon, Kayay-myaing, and Kanpyintharsi and Tawpyo villages in Maungdaw town.

It is not known if the “Bengali returnees” are people originally from Bangladesh or people who call themselves “Rohingya” and swear to be long-term residents in Rakhine state. More than 120,000 people – most of them Rohingya Muslims – were forced from their homes in Rakhine state after  riots in June and October last year that saw hundreds killed. Many are stuck in camps in dire conditions.

The abbot of Baho Monastery, where the Rakhine migrants were staying, said: “Bengalis who went back to their native towns are inciting violence against Rakhine ethnics and the Buddhist minority in Bangladesh.”