Monthly

News and AnalysisARAKAN of the Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

ARAKAN: A LAND OF TORMENT AND BLOODSHED

Volume 1, Issue 7 JULY 2009 www.ro- www.rohingya.org News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma) In this Issue Editorial: “Arakan Reality” rakan, in fact, a continuation of plain was an independent kingdom till ABurmese occupation in 1784. The relation Editorial: “Arakan Real- between Chittagong and Arakan has been influ- enced by geographical, cultural and historical ity” 2 consideration. Hinduism and Buddhism spread here from , whereas Islamic civilization began influencing both Arakan and Bengal from ARAKAN: A LAND seventh century A. D.

OF TORMENT AND For the last millennium or so, and Buddhists have historically lived on both sides of the Naaf Riv- BLOODSHED 3 er, which marks the modern border with . Archaeological remains and historical numismatics and evidences confirmed that Arakan was a Hindu Latest Tactics of Extermi- Kingdom following the Mahayanist form of Buddhism and both the government and the people were Indi- nation 4 ans similar to present day’s Rohingyas. In 957 A.D, Mongolian invasion swept over Arakan Rohingyas are Peace-lov- and placed Mongolian king on the throne of Arakan. The inter mixture of the locals and the invading Mon- golians became Arakanese people. Those who are ing. now known as Rohingya are not solely descended from migrant people but are local indigenous people living in Arakan since the dawn of the history that Yet Persecuted 6 later embraced cultural and religious reformation to upgrade their ancient tradition.

Arakan’s Relation with In ancient Burma, Mon-Khamar, Tibeto-Burman, Thai-Chinese came from the Northeast in search Bengal 8 of green pasture, clean water and gradually settled there. With the passage of time many more new races emerged out of those mixed blood. Similarly, in Ara- From the page of History , Rakhines and Rohingyas have been born with the arrival of the Aryan people from the Northwest and their intermarriage with the locals through the Brig-Gen Aung Gyi 8 evaluation of history.

It is the right of a distinct group to live in their own Farmers find paddy culti- place, uphold their culture and practice religion of their own freely. Depending on the extent of civili- vation difficult in Maung- zation and environment and in course of time, many changes taken place within and around. And it is no daw 11 exception in Burma. The ethnic Ta Line has become Mon, Taung Thu is now Pa-oh, Karenni is known as Kaya, Shan Taroke as Kokan etc. A Glance at the History of It is, thus, not unfair to call the Muslim of Arakan “Ro- hingya” as they like to be called so. In fact, Rohingya Rohingya 12 is not a new name nor it is invented or adopted, as some Burmese ultra-nationalists do prefer to brand. Rohingya is a historical name based on replete his- ARNO in Action 15 torical backgrounds. While change of name of cities from Akyab to , Rangoon to , Arakan to

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Rakhine , Burma to etc. Gaur and other parts of Bengal. selves properly. have recently been made, the cen- (d) The Mughals of Shah Shuja’s turies old name of ethnic Rohing- followers. We the Rohingyas of Arakan have ya has however been branded as (e) Bengali captives or slaves. more than 1300 year-old tradition a name created by anti-state ele- (f) Various ethnic nationalities and history of our own. We can not ments in post-independent Burma. who entered Arakan as officials, abandon and cynically consign it to It simply gives a grim picture on including Prime Ministers, Minis- oblivion. For centuries there had the status of the Rohingya race. ters, courtiers, judges, physicians, been rise and fall of many civiliza- soldiers of both cavalry and infan- tions in Arakan: Hindu, Buddhist Now the Rakhines are on the side try, merchants, traders, labourers, and . Muslims remained pre- of nepotism while the Rohingyas workers and sailors who were soon dominant throughout the glorious are confined to ruthlessness. In absorbed in the general popula- period from 1430 A. D. until Bur- post independent Burma, Rakh- tion. mese occupation of Arakan in 1784 ines were in better position. The A. D. Burma Territorial Force (BTF), mainly Rakhines, during 1948-50 ARAKAN: A LAND Islam was first introduced in Ara- unlashed a reign of terror against kan during the period of some the Rohingyas. Their action was as OF TORMENT AND Hindu dynasties that preceded the if the continuation of 1942 Rohing- BLOODSHED Chandra dynasty (788-957 A.-D) by ya Muslim massacre by the Rakh- Sufis, Mystics, Arabs, Moorish and ines. In 1942 the Rakhines mas- niversal man can not Persian traders within 50 years of sacred 100,000 Muslim Rohingyas forget his history. His- the advent of lslam (i.e., 610-660-A burned down over 300 villages and tory is mirror of life D.). 80,000 fled to Bangle. U and measurement of its perfor- The Muslim population went on in- During era’s the Rakhines mance. It is through this mirror creasing during the long period of had been used as tools to oppress that others can know of a peo- 5 centuries following the conquest the Rohingyas.The Rohingyas ple who can as well know them- have been oppressed, repressed and exterminated by the Bur- mese and and by SPDC at worst. However, Rohing- yas have been continuing to exist through thick and thin, keeping no stone unturned exploring all ven- ues for a lasting solution to their long-standing problem so as to live peacefully and honorably in their ancestral homeland of Ara- kan with dignity, right and justice. Moreover, Rohingyas have been looking forward and welcoming the Rakhines to lunch a movement against the cruel junta in Burma.

Ethnic Rohingyas are a mixed blooded people having their ori- gin in the following ethnic peoples during a long course of their es- tablishment in Arakan.

(a) Local Pre-Aryan, Aryan and Mongolian, that is, Hindu and Ra- khine (local converts) (b) The Arab and Persian traders (c) The Pathan army of Gen.Wali Khan and Sandhi Khan of 1429 and 1430.C.E, Turkish, Afghan and other Muslims from Sonargaon,

JULY  News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

of easterly Hindu state of Wesali in ent military regime of Burma, State Peace and Development Council 957 A.D by the Mongolians and they is up and determined to exterminate the remaining Rohingya popula- remained satisfied as king-makers tion through ethnic cleansing with a view to transforming Arakan into a until the momentous year of 1430 multi-ethnic region totally populated by Buddhists. when the deposed Buddhist king Naramikhla was restored to the In addition arrest, detention, rape, loot, murder, destruction of settle- throne of Arakan by Sultan Na- ments and houses, confiscation of properties, forced labour and mar- siruddin Shah of Gour, under the riage restriction of the Rohingya girls, hundreds of mosques, Madrassas Muslim name of Solaiman Shah (religious schools) have been destroyed, closed down and turned into as the first king of the last dynasty military camps all over Arakan. The mosque and Islamic Dawah centre of Mrauk-U. Thus they themselves (preaching centre) at Kayindan village (Shikdarpara), , one of started ruling the country under many that has been seized by the Burmese regime on 23rd May 1991 and the Mrauk-U kings from 1430 on later used for fire brigade since then. the lines of Delhi Mughal Sultan- ate of the Muslim Bengal. From May 1994 North Arakan has turned into a new killing field in Bur- ma. Under the pretext of looking for insurgents, premeditated killing in During the Muslim rule of 15th the villages is a routine and rampant action of the SPDC brute forces. century Arakan had become en- The Rohingya elites, academicians and students have been arrested, livened with the impact of renais- jailed and killed on false and fabricated charges. In 1994 Over 500 in- sance in every sphere of life all nocent Rohingyas had been gunned down or slaughtered and buried in over the Empire, inspiring the mass graves in the townships of Maungdaw and without the heyday of Arakan’s history. Arakan notice of the outside world. The victims were compelled at gun point to had turned into a Sultanate and kill each other by slaughtering or by striking hard with spades and axes lslam had flourished to its zenith. in the heads. There are instances that the brother had to kill his own The court was shaped on Gour brother, and both the father and son were killed together before the very and Delhi and its kings adopted eyes of the family members. the titles of Padshah. Persian was adopted as a state language which The magnitude of the act of genocide, violence, atrocity and injustice continued up to 1845. Coins, me- against the peaceful-living Rohingyas in Arakan has exceeded the limit dallions and state emblems were of tolerance. They have exhausted all their traditional patience and do- brought into circulation inscrib- mestic remedies. They want an immediate end of their sufferings and ing with ‘Kalema’’(the profession a ‘permanent solution’ of their decades old problems through peace- of faith in Islam) and ‘Aqimuddin’ ful means. If not, where will such bulks of population would go leaving (establishment of God’s rule on their ancestral motherland while nearly half of them have already be- the earth) in Arabic script. The pa- come unwanted burden on many alien lands? Which country will avail tronage of the kings of this lineage them asylum? Let the world look with a critical and humanitarian eye to stimulated the rapid development this human tragedy and help ensure justice, equality, liberty and peace of the Arabic, Persian, Rohingya, in Arakan. Bengali and Burmese languages and literatures. The democratic force of lslam produced momen- tous effect in the domain of edu- cation and knowledge as well. The Buddhists also graduated in Mus- lim studies and embraced lslam in Latest Tactics of Extermination great numbers. Even the Buddhist By SU Ahmed women of those days practiced ‘purda ‘(veil system). ohingya Muslims left behind in Arakan are constantly un- Inspite of all these historical evi- der threat of expulsion from the land. All previous meth- dences, the Rohingyas are not Rods of ethnic cleansing like putting restrictions on trade tolerated in Burma today. They and travel, education, marriage, religion and land confiscation have been unceasingly subjected and so on have not proved effective for a total extermination, yet to oppression and persecution on it has done considerable harm to the existence of the religion of religious and political grounds. Islam and Muslims in Arakan. This normal practice proved not They have been occasionally ex- enough and has not met the targets of total annihilation. Now, it pelled from their homeland by use is determined that physical eviction from homes is of utmost nec- of force creating refugee problem essary for the Nasaka forces as they are specially entrusted to do and regional instability. The pres-

 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 www.rohingya.org the job since deployed in 1995. cated in the village-tract of Bak- who brought these some years kaguna and the other is 3 miles ago. They are namely Sanjeeda Beginning this year, severe tactics check-post on the way between Begum (Daughter of Sayeed Islam which are unthinkable imposed Maungdaw and Buthidaung. These from Shweza Kambainia hamlet), on Rohingyas by local administra- two camps are responsible for ha- Altaf (son of Monu Meah, Shweza tions (district and township peace rassing Muslim population of the Gunapara hamlet) and Abu Taher and development councils, police said areas and the prime crime is (Shweza middle hamlet). These and land record department) and money extortion. Now, BIHQ looks families had to leave their houses Nasaka. Every Rohingya Muslim directly embarked upon harassing and moved out to somewhere else household is being checked of its the Rohingya Muslim population with no respite. They have become family members and state of own- under its jurisdiction by putting instant Internally Displaced Per- ership of the house building and all houses under strict scrutiny. sons (IDP). Fear is ripe over the compound. Thorough inquiry is entire village-tract the grim situa- done regarding matters of own- A few months ago, Maungdaw tion that may come on everyone of ership and construction. This is peace and development council the village. done under strict discriminatory along with police and land record regional decree applied on only officials made a survey in the vil- Every household has a family Rohingya majority community in lage tract of Shweza (Shuzapara) member list and Rohingya fami- northern Arakan. This regional just north of Maungdaw. More then lies are checked by Nasaka on decree is widely practiced in law 300 Muslim houses were enlisted yearly basis with the intention of courts of Arakan as legal proce- for not having proper documents canceling the one who leave Ara- dures and Rohingyas are deliber- of buying and selling, construction kan and to asses the success of the ately punished with long term jail and hand over including building campaign of extermination. This sentences. Arbitrary arrests, il- on paddy land. One of the reasons household member list is vital for legal confinements, summery jail for enlistment is shown that there every Muslim family. Without is terms, unlawful fines and extor- are some houses previously owned the family is labeled as non-resi- tions are widely practiced. by those who left for another coun- dent outright and action is taken. try (Bangladesh) and it is likely Some years back, Rohingya fami- After widespread land confisca- that those families will be repatri- lies are not allowed to have ad- tion followed house confiscation. ated under some kind of agreement ditional family lists and in family From one side, local administra- and from now these houses are sons who are married with new- tion is engaged in ordering what needed to be ready for the return- born babies are to be enlisted with they mention as illegal structure ees. In this connection the occu- the main family and cannot obtain to be vacated and on the other pants of such three houses are in- a separate family list which other hand Nasaka is bent on listing and stantly ordered to leave the house communities enjoy. This is a ploy taking photos of such houses of and they did it. The brutality was to limit the number of Muslim fam- Muslims. A couple of weeks ago, a faced by the owners of the house ily. By this way the extended Mus- team of Nasaka from BIHQ (Bor- lim family gets increased members der Immigration Head Quarters) in one single list and the family in Kyiganpyin (Kawarbill), north of gets very big. Because of the situ- Maungdaw launched a campaign ation, another house is needed to to have a survey of Muslim houses accommodate some of the mem- in the village-tracts of Kawarbill, bers. But this kind of additional Khamardill (Nwarundaung), Bak- houses are disallowed and sorted kahguna, Etalia, Kaindapara, Shi- out as illegal structures even it is kdarpara (Kayindan) and Maung- built in the same compound. Con- nipara and 6 wards of Maungdaw crete building and roof with tin town. These village-tracts and sheets are also questioned and Maungdaw town fall under the di- put to question mark and is liable rect control of BIHQ. This area is to punishment. So, Rohingyas in excluded from other Nasaka re- and around Maungdaw town are gional commands. As these areas living in nightmare. It is clear that are directly not fallen under any in future Muslims will not get per- Nasaka regional commanders, the mission to build concrete houses Rohingya populace living in these whereas non-Muslims will get. areas is relatively out of the on- slaught of regional commanders. But there are two Nasaka camps which cover the areas. One is lo-

JULY  News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma) Rohingyas are Continued persecution of Rohing- their lands to the Rohingyas at ya forced many of them to leave for high prices and scrambled to get Peace-loving. Saudi Arabia from Akyab district. the possession of the Rohingyas’ Yet Persecuted Their suffering beggared descrip- lands. By AFK Jilani tion. These communal and narrow minded Rakhine leaders engi- Now let us ask those leaders who r. M.A. Gaffar, son of Ul- neered a communal riot in 1942, are shouting that the Pakistanis lah Meah, was born in resulting in the total destruction of are infiltrating into the country. M1910 at Rohingyadaung the age-old Rohingyas settlements Where are these Rohingyas from village, Buthidaung, Arakan, from 6 of the 9 townships of Akyab 244 villages have gone? Were all Burma; graduated in his Islamic District. The Rohingya population these people killed in 1942 riot? studies from Chittagong Senior of Myebon in Kyaukpru district The answer is certainly not. How Madarasa in 1924; received BA was completely annihilated. Many long the Rakhine will illegally from Dhaka University and B.T Rohingyas had taken shelter in hold the lands of Rohingyas? How Maungdaw and Buthidaung town- long will they show this drama? from Aligarh University in 1930 ships. A number of them had taken The alleged illegal immigration of and 1933 respectively; served refuge in East Bengal. The follow- Pakistanis is false. It is nothing but as Inspector of Schools from ing are the number of Rohingya a conspiracy to perpetuate their 1931-42 in Arakan; Township villages destroyed during the 1942 illegal possession of Rohingyas’ officer of Buthidaung during communal riots: lands and to oppose their repa- 1944 and 1945; elected Member triation and rehabilitation in their of Parliament (MP) from Akyab Myebon Township 3 0 homeland. west constituency from 1947 to villages 1959. He also served as parlia- Minbya Township 2 7 In 1949-50, more than 30,000 Ro- mentary secretary during the villages hingyas that included women and Pauktaw Township 2 5 children were inhumanly driven Nu-Tin government in the Min- villages across the border to East Pakistan. istry of Health. Following are Myohaung Township 5 8 Plans after plans of conspiracy excerpts from the statement villages have been hatched out to finish of of Mr. Gaffar given in a press Kyauktaw Township 7 8 the Rohingyas with the slogan of conference in Rangoon on 21st villages illegal immigration. This was car- April 1960:“Some leaders of Rathedaung Township 2 1 ried out with an ulterior motive to Arakan have been engaged in villages disturb Rohingyas and to oppose malicious propaganda against Ponnagyunt Township 5 vil- their rehabilitation. the . Soon af- lages ter the Second World War, when Buthidaung Township During the month of July and Au- 55 villages gust 1959, the immigration offi- the British reoccupied Burma, 8 vil- cials had inhumanely uprooted they began to conspire against lages thousands of Rohingyas from 24 the Rohingyas with the slogan Total ...... 3 0 7 villages in Maungdaw North and that the Rohingyas are Paki- villages 8 villages in Buthidaung North. stani minded and wanted to They were tortured and pushed join Arakan with Pakistan. This These uprooted Rohingyas except- into East Pakistan, where they slogan is utterly false and is but ing those from the township of have been taking temporary shel- a device to tarnish the image Maungdaw and Buthidaung have ter. They are still hoping to return of the Rohingyas with a view to not been repatriated and rehabili- to their ancestral homeland. This exterminating them. tated yet in their original places. is a great responsibility of the There is no security for their lives. Prime Minister to arrange More than half of their land prop- for their immediate repatriation In fact, the Rohingyas are law-abid- erties were taken away by Rakh- and rehabilitation. ing people. I was township officer ine Maghs who are not ready to at Buthidaung before 1945 when return the properties to original If statehood of Arakan is granted the insurgency of Rakhine Magh Rohingya owners. It had become to Rakhine a separate Rohingya was started. But the then defence an attraction for the Rakhine of state must be granted comprising Minister, Bo let Ya had appreci- other areas to leave for those 7 the area between West Bank of ated the Rohingyas and described townships to grasp the chance of the Kaladan and east bank of the them as ‘Peace-loving and loyal to seizing Rohingyas’ lands. Accord- river Naf. Otherwise, Prime Min- the Union. ingly, the Rakhine from Maung- ister U Nu will be responsible for daw and Buthidaung had sold out any bloodshed over the issue.The

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Mujahideen in Arakan destroyed not a single monastery. It is surprising how the govt. allow these narrow- minded leaders to spread such a baseless propaganda to preach communalism in the mind of people.

Polygamy and early marriage enhance the population growth of the Rohingya people. Except the Chinese community their birth rate is the highest.

Again 78 Rohingya were illegally arrested by the immigration and were carried to Rangoon Jail. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that the arrest of the careless immigration personnel without any due enquiry was un- lawful, such an arrest of the Rohingya in Shan State said to have been continuing. Although they possessed valid documents, the judges are clearly biased in their judgments under the influence of the administra- tion.

In Tulatali village of Maungdaw township, there was not a single Rakhine according to the census report of 1921, but the AFPFL government uprooted the Rohingyas of that village, who were for generations there and settled the Rakhines instead and distributed land properties to them belonging to Rohingyas.

Muslims are generally blackmailed for smuggling. In fact, the non-Muslims themselves with co-operation of the insurgents carry out major portion of smuggling. To ascertain the truth of it the 80% of the smugglers ar- rested and convicted are non-Muslims.

The government is probably thinking of shifting Rohingya population from Maungdaw and replacing them by non-Muslims under its ‘human barrier policy’. If so, the government is seriously mistaken and going to commit an irreparable blunder.

The government is indifferent to the plights of the Rohingyas. They don’t get any legal redress. Even the gov- ernment officials publicly threaten: “Why don’t you Kalas (aliens) understand the policy of the government? Why don’t you leave the country despite continued persecution?”

What an unfortunate thing is this! They are not Pakistanis and so the Pakistan government does not accept them. But by all legal standards they are Burmese citizens entitled to all rights and protections guaranteed by the constitution. In spite of this they are unwanted by their own government. So, where shall they go and who will give them asylum? It is very unfortunate that instead of getting any remedies the culprits and the violators of law are encouraged and rewarded.”

What we understand from the statement of Mr. M.A. Gaffar, the political leader of the Rohingya people: If statehood of Arakan is granted to Rakhine a separate Rohingya state must be granted comprising the area between the west bank of and the east bank of Naf River.

According to Sultan Ahmed (1901-1981), Parliamentary Secretary of the Union of Burma, the Muslims of Ara- kan have always identified themselves as Burman with whom they have merged themselves in good faith that they will be treated on the same line as Burman and will be given equal rights. That means we have merged with Burman relinquishing our chances of secession.

The Muslims of North Arakan inhabit in a sufficient contiguous territory in sufficient numbers in defined geographical area having all necessary characteristics of an indigenous state which can never be denied by any right thinking persons uninfluenced by feelings of racial and religious hatred or not having any kind of prejudice.

The Muslims of North Arakan have been together as a race in a group from time immemorial in a territory included within the Union of Burma. They have their proud history, culture and tradition. There is no justi- fication to take them as a foreign race for the simple reason that they profess Islam and keep Muslim names ignoring the kings of Arakan with Muslim names. Thus with Muslim names, one should not be misled that the children of soil should be foreigners.

According to Mr. M.A. Gaffar statement, the Rohingyas have been experiencing inhumanities and injustices for very long. Their problem is a case of woe upon woe and is a man made tragedy. Conspiracies after con- spiracies have long been hatched out against them with a view to exterminating the entire Rohingya people to the last man.

JULY  News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

Arakan’s Relation tory. This resulted in the develop- ed interest groups have now and with Bengal ment of different ethnic groups in again distorted the actual facts Chittagong of present Bangladesh, by stating that these returnees SU Ahamed such as Chakmas, Maghs, Marmas, were illegal immigrants from Chit- Saak, Baruas and Rohingyas. To- tagong. Some columnists are also hrough out the history day the presence of large number found to have written on the issue Arakan maintained very of Rohingyas in Bangladesh de- with their misconceived idea or Tclose socio-economic veloped not as a result of a single dwelling on the information of the and commercial ties with Mus- exodus from Arakan but of many Burmese government or vested in- lim Bengal. During Muslim rule such flights. They were C.E 957, terest groups. in Arakan, from 1430 to 153I, a 1044, 1544, 1660, 1666, 1752, 1784, large number of Muslims par- 1785, 1796, 1798, 1811, 1930, 1938, During Second World war, in 1942, ticularly from Chittagong mi- 1942, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1966, about 1, 00,000 Rohingya Muslims 1967, 1973, 1978 and l99l-92. All of grated and settled in Arakan. were massacred in Arakan. A large these years are related to either number of their settlements were Mongolian or Burmese invasion of The relation between Arakan and uprooted. Many thousands of them Arakan or post colonial internal Chittagong is influenced by geo- who escaped the pogrom had taken control problems and planned ex- graphical, ethnological, refuge in Rangpur in Bengal were termination of the Rohingyas. The cultural and historical consider- not allowed re- outflow of Rohingyas from Arakan ation. From about 1580 to 1666 entry into Burma even after the into Bangladesh is still continu- AD. Nearly a century, Chittagong Burmese independence in 1948’ ing due to persistent persecution was under almost uninterrupted against Rohingya. Arakanese rule. During this pe- History is replete with evidences riod the woeful piratical activities that it was Bengal who had always After 1824, when the British took and slave trade of Magh-Firingi helped and stood by over the administration of Burma, reached to a peak. They plundered side of the people of Arakan in any law and order situation returned to and destroyed all the villages and event of national disaster and ag- normal in Arakan. The Arakanese settlements on the Bank of Gan- gression from the side of Arakan Muslims and Buddhists who took ges which practically depopulated Yoma mountain. It was in 1406, refuge in Bengal (as mentioned a huge portion of lower Bengal. when the Burmese aggressors had above) during Burmese rule began They carried off the people who invaded and occupied Arakan, the to return to their homeland (Ara- also included people of noble ori- fraternal people of Bengal gave kan) after a span of more than 40 gin, highborn persons and Syyids. shelter to Arakanese king and years. But many of their relatives A large number of them were em- thousand of his followers. Again were left behind in Bengal of which ployed in the services of the Ara- it was the brave soldiers, brothers the Muslims are till today known kan kings, governors, landlords and people of Bengal who fought, as ‘Roai’. During British rule, and high civil and military offi- shed their blood, drove away the there had been renewed relation- cials, as soldiers, courtiers, court Burmese and restored the Inde- ship between the people of Arakan poets, and attendants and in ag- pendence of the people of Arakan. and present Bangladesh as there ricultural activities. With this the remained no political boundary. Rohingya population in Arakan There had been free movement had increased to a great extent. and free trade between the Mus- lims of both sides of the Naf River. From the page of Chittagong used to change hands Professor M.N.Habibullah, in his History between the sultans of Bengal and book “The History of Rohingyas” kings of Arakan till the time of Mu- Brig-Gen Aung Gyi (written in Bengali), mentioned ghul Emperor Aurangjib Alamgir that many of the people in south- in 1666 AD. There had been free he speech delivered by ern Chittagong are Arakan origin and easy movement of Chittago- people and emphatically said that Brigadier nian and Arakanese thereafter. Aung Gyi, Vice Chief of almost all people inhabiting areas T Many affluent Arakanese and Staff from Chakaria down to Teknaf are Chitlagonians have dual home and (8-7-61 - Myanmar Alin” page 5-6) ‘Roi”. citizenship in Arakan and Chit- tagong. I want to speak a little in this arms During British rule” some of these laying down ceremony (at Maung- people began to return to their an- The influx of refugees form Arakan daw, July 4, 1961) of the resistance cestral homeland of Arakan. But into Bengal was almost an impeni- group who are fighting in the name the Burmese government and vest- tent phenomenon in Burma’s his-

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JULY  News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

the relative cannot naturally alter the nationalities of their respective countries. In this way the Rohingyas of our side must be faithful to the Union of Burma and the people of the western side of the border must be faithful to the government of Pakistan. I want to say the attending elders of the towns of Mayu District and comrades that there may be relatives, in-laws and children of the comrades in Pakistan. But you are the nationals of the Union of Burma. You must decide firmly to be faithful to the Union and your relatives must be faithful to the Pakistan though you are here. I request to do so and to explain it to all your near and dear ones.

An act of error In this regard I want to say about a past history. Previously, as you know, the people of Burma regard this Rohingya people as Mujahids and Muslims who wanted to join with Pakistan. So people of this region thought, being Muslims, they should join with Pakistan. With this view they launched political movement, as Sudukstan of Germany, to join of revolution since the indepen- with Pakistan. As a matter of fact it is impossible and also against the dence of Burma. nature. What had happened in Germany was happened before the Great Rohingya means War. It was no more after the War. The policy of Pakistan is very right. First and foremost, I want to say For example, in the case of Kyi-Kyun they did not demand it. When Paki- about the people of Mayu District. stan is not even demanding Kyi Kyun they would never think about the Pakistan is at the western side of Mayu District to join with East Pakistan. In this way the people of China this district. Both of sides of the cannot demand Kachin State to join with Yunan giving the reason that border are Muslims. The people there are in China’s Yunan province. There is no such of the west are called Pakistani. thing in this time. Some people of Burma proper failed to recognise the The people of the east, who are people of this region as indigenous. Some people of this part may have in Burma, are called Rohingyas. I longed for Pakistan. These are all mistakes of some people of Burma want to clear that it is not the only and some people of this region. border where same people live in two countries; the same case is in Minority Race Chinese border too. For example, So, today I will declare openly that from this very time we will regard in Kachin State there is Lesu in (the people of) Mayu District as an indigenous race of the Union of Bur- Burmese side, also there is Lesu ma, I do declare it clearly. The people of this region must also regard in China too. As there is Eikaw in themselves as an indigenous minority race of Burma. Then only this Burmese side and also in China part of the country will be in peace and prosperity. You should forget side. As there is Lawa in Burmese our previous mistakes. For example, there may be the burning of the vil- side there is also Lawa in China. In lages in operations. It may be due to unavoidable circumstances. If this this way as there is Shan in Burma, happened please forget it. From this time you must regard yourselves there is Thai in other side. They as the people of the Union. “We must be faithful, the country is Union speak same language both inside of Burma, we are a minority group of the Union”. Then only this region Thailand and Burma. In this way will be in peace and prosperous. If there are people who do not un- the people of same religion are in derstand it, I request the attending political parties, religious parties, Pakistan side and Rohingyas in Molvies, elders, ex-Mujahid comrades to try to change their minds and Burma. views. In future, as a minority race of the Union of Burma, in your ef- forts for peace, development, education and health, we will render full Resolve Decisively co-operation with you. This is the first thing I want to tell you. In this meeting of all walks of peo- ple, I want to say clearly that the Like real relatives people in our side may have rela- Secondly, I want to say about the programme of the development of this tives in other side. But they are area by our army. As you know, the population of Mayu District is four Pakistanis. The people of the bor- to five lakhs. The occupation is only cultivation of narrow strip. The der must take decisive decision. population is too much greater in comparison to lands for cultivation. For example, when we have a look Consumption is greater making the people automatically poor. You are at Kachin State, some relatives of poor. Most of the people of this area are poor. One cannot effort more the Kachin are in China side, they than two or three . We have approximate estimation for the de- are Chinese and those Kachin velopment of this area as we feel your poverty as that of us as you are who are in Burma are Burmese. part and parcel of us. The economic development of this area will be Some may be brother-in-laws. But carried out the Mayu Frontier Administration as if they are your real

10 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 www.rohingya.org relatives, and you should corpo- and government. If possible fight Kaladan News rate with them. We will discharge against the rebel. If possible, wage July 29, 2009 our duty taking you as if you are war joining with the army. Farmers find pad- our own relatives. It is an Order dy cultivation dif- Economic Development In this way when defence is car- ficult in Maung- You and we the administrative offi- ried out the strength of the re- cials may have different religions, maining rebel forces will become daw different traditions. In a country, it weak and the rural area will be in is not a big issue to have different peace. When there is peace we can aungdaw, Arakan State: religions, different traditions and effectively work for the develop- Farmers in Maungdaw different languages. Such kind of ment of this area. We can try our MTownship, are finding it differences does exist in America, best for the economic development difficult to cultivate their farm- England, Russia, China, India, and of this area in every angle. Which lands as monsoon season going Pakistan and in every country. But I am telling here is an order to the late and the farmers can’t able they worked together. You should in charge army officers of the fron- to plough their lands which was

also work together for the develop- tier Administration such as, Col. ment keeping aside our differenc- Soe Myint, Col. Ye Goung. In army released lately by the TPDC es without taking it as big issue, as such an instruction is an order. Chairman of Maungdaw Town- if we are real relatives. Frontier This is the difference between the ship, were earlier confiscated Administration is ready to work political speech from the dais and from the farmers, according to hard for your development. the speech in army. In army such one of the farmers from Maung- instruction is followed by the sub- daw North. The most important thing is the ordinate officers like an order. So In May 2009, over 200 acres of ar- security of this area. Without the when we tell or even before tell- able land from Kawarbill village security it will be very difficult for ing we start to work. The Frontier tract of Maungdaw Township was development even though we work Administration will work hard for seized by the Township Peace very hard. The first important the economic development of the and Development Council (TPDC) thing is the security. The second people of this area. Chairman from Rohingya farmers important is also peace and se- We will support the culture and re- for Natala (Model) villagers, who curity of the rural area of this re- ligious matters of this area. Well, were brought to Arakan North gion. For the security of the area, from this time on, we will help, from Burma proper. the Rohingya nationals, Rohingya protect and defend the religion of The Natala villagers didn’t want leaders and Rohingya religious this people, which I want you to to cultivate the farm lands and leaders should inform the army believe it without any reservation. wanted to lease the lands to the

JULY 11 News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

Rohingya which were confiscated from Rohingya by countries in the North is contiguous. Burma is a Bud- the TPDC. But, the Rohingya refused to take lease dhist majority country and Bangladesh is a Muslim their lands again, said an aide from TPDC. state. In term of population, the latter is the second Finally, the TPDC Chairman returned the confiscated largest Muslim nation in the world. Both are inhabit- lands to the original Rohingya owners on July 23, to ed by considerable number of adherents of other re- grow paddy. But, the Chairman did not say anything ligion more or less concentrated along the borders. regarding the lands, said a local trader. A farmer from Kawarbill (Kyigan Pyin) village tract, who did By language and literature, by habit and custom, by not mention his name said, “This year, the monsoons tradition and appearance, by culture and religion, have been late, so we need to work in our farmlands the Muslims and Buddhists across their respective to terminate cultivation as early as possible, as it is border are complementary to each other of their own already late.” category with indissoluble affinities. Another farmer said, “We have to till the lands and The close proximity and congenial next-door neigh- also have to prepare seed-beds for seedlings. It will borhood transcend geographical limitations and take at least one month. If the rainy season lasts for from time immemorial there had been influx of peo- the next two months, it will be good for farmers; oth- ple from both sides at different periods of history. erwise the paddy cultivation will not be successful. At times, the Arakanese had even penetrated up to From other part of Arakan state, the Kyauktaw, Dock- Dhaka and their colorful canoes plied on the placid taw based Military Operation Command (MOC) 9 or- water of Buriganga. The “Magh Bazar” in Dhaka city dered the township command; Kyauktaw, Phonagyun, is reminiscent of the presence of Maghs in bygone , Rathedaung, Akyab, Kyaukpru and Minbya days. to provide workforce (the military calls it people Many distinguished Muslims from Bengal, except for force) of farmers for the army farmlands for cultiva- the tragic, misadventure of Shah Shuja, adorned the tion first where the farmers faced difficult to culti- court of Arakanese kings, captured the imagination vate their lands as the monsoon has been late, said a of the indigenous people by their rectitude in life, village head man from Kyaukpru. liberality of outlook, diffusion of love and comrade- “The concerned authorities in Arakan North do not ship and above all, by the simplicity and purity of want to see the graciousness of the public; they al- their religion. ways try to cause them inconvenience. Is this the A close cultural contact between Arakan and Bengal nature of the State Peace and Development Coun- was first made early in the fifteenth century when cil (SPDC) authorities, or are they really autocrats,” Narameikhla, the king of Arakan, dispossessed by the asked a schoolteacher. king of Burma, came to Bengal and took refuge in the The concerned authorities such as--- Army, Sarapa court of Gour (1404). After a sojourn of many years (Military Intelligence), Nasaka (Burma’s border se- he was helped by Jalal Uddin, the Bengal Sultan, to curity force), police, TPDC, DPDC (District Peace regain his throne in 1430. Since then Bengali culture and Development Council) and TOC (Tactical Opera- was enduring in the court of Arakan. tion Command) --- have been seizing Rohingya lands The influence of Bengali attained further develop- without any reason and compensating the land own- ment when Chittagong was annexed to the Arakanese ers, for sometime now, said a local businessman. Empire. Politically Chittagong was subjugated by Ara- kan, but culturally it was Arakan which was greatly influenced by strong culture and powerful language. A Glance at the History of A number of competent Bengalees were appointed to high government post. People of all ranks enjoyed Rohingya the literary beauty of Bengali works. The Arakanese by AFKJILANI kings of the seventeenth century were enthusiastic patrons of . One of the most glorious rakan State of present Burma is separated periods of was seventeenth cen- from Bangladesh by the Naf River, which tury, based in Arakan. In the view of Satyendra Nath Acan be crossed in half an hour by sampan Ghoshal it was a golden age of the Bengali literature. and country-boat. The frontier of both The Arakanese king adopted Bengali names such as Thiri Thu Dhama, Sanda Thu Damma, in addition to their Muslim names. The Bengali immigrants in Ara- kan were almost all Muslims and the officials, minis- ters, Prime Ministers and Judges (Qazis) were mostly Muslims. www.rohingya.org What has been happening in the Union of Burma under the military rule is beyond one’s belief. Deny- ing rights of ethnic minorities is well practiced. And above all, the junta has been obliterating the history

12 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 www.rohingya.org of once glorious people. Historical establishments, an important role towards the advancement of civi- antiques, monument sites, etc. were destroyed. The lization in Arakan. From 1430 to 1638, for more than ethnicity of Rohingya in Arakan has been questioned. two hundred years Arakan was ruled by the Muslims. The general populace in Burma has been led to be- The system of government was Muslim Sultanates as lieve that the Rohingyas, who resembles the Bengal- was common in those days. It was an independent ees are aliens while the people have still the memory Muslim kingdom in 14th and 15th centuries. Accord- of how the Rohingya was treated as an indigenous ing to Dr. Than Tun Professor of History, there were race, their language broadcast in the BBS and their Rohingya kings from the majestic Mayu valley who culture promoted during of the democratic rule in used to visit kings of Ava, which was written in the Burma. inscription (Kyaukza) of 1442. In ancient Burma, Mon-Khamar, Tibeto-Burma, Thai- For almost a century from 1582 to 1666 Chittagong re- Chinese came from the north-east and settled down mained under the effective rule of Arakan. From 1665 there. With the passage of time many more new races to 1710, Muslims were Prime Ministers, War Minis- emerged out of those mixed blood. Similarly, in Ara- ters, Judicial Ministers, judges, generals and high- kan, Rakhine and Rohingya have been born with the ranking army officers, and poets who were Muslims arrival of the Aryan people from the north-west and in the court of Arakan. Coins and medallions bearing their inter-marriage with the locals through the evo- “Kalima” (the profession of faith in Islam) in Persian lution of history. script were in circulation. Persian was the court lan- It is the right of distinct group to live in their own guage of Arakan. place, uphold their culture and practice religion of The Rohingya lived separately with their own terri- their own freely. Depending on the extent of civili- torial boundary maintaining their national identity zation and environment and in course of time, many since the early time of civilization. History has al- changes take place within and around. And it is no ready testified to it. exception in Burma. The ethnic Ta Line has become Despite systematic extermination of Rohingya popu- Mon, Taung Thus is now Pa-oh, Karenni is known as lation by means of genocidal actions and continuous Kaya, Shan Taroke as Kokan, etc. It is, thus, not un- persecution, Rohingyas still predominant in North fair to call the Muslims of Arakan as Rohingyas as Arakan. Moreover, other parts of Arakan were also they like to be called so. In fact, Rohingya is not a new their homeland before the pogrom of 1942. name nor it is invented or adopted, as some Burmese The position of the Muslims of Arakan was glorious ultra-nationalists do prefer to brand. ‘Rohingya’ is during the time of the Mrauk-U Empire but it slowly a historical name based on replete historical back- declined following Burmese occupation (1785-1825). grounds. While change of name of cities from Akyab During the British rule too they had been discrimi- to Sittwe, Rangoon to Yangon, Arakan to Rakhine, nated again and politically blindfolded by the Brit- Burma to Myanmar, etc. have recently been made, the ish so much so that none of the Muslims could hold centuries old name of ethnic Rohingya has however, a high position in the administration of the govern- been branded as a name created by anti-state ele- ment. As they were the conqueror of Muslim Mughal ments in post-independent Burma. It simply gives a Empire, the British politically confined the Muslims grim picture on the status of the Rohingya race. Thus, of the sub-continent and of Arakan to illiteracy, and it is historical duty of Rohingya to face the challenge sub-human standard. to restore their lost glory and civilization. The exodus of Muslims from Arakan to Bengal is not Many plans have been drawn and implemented by new. It is indeed the legacy of history for Bengal to the successive military regimes of Burma, to conceal bear the burden of refugees from Arakan. In 1404 A.C the reality but history has proved that reality always the King of Arakan, Narameikhla (1401-1434) fled to resurfaces and injustice has never got its hold. Their Bengal. According to Sayadaw U Nyana, the author ill-designs against the Rohingyas are never accepted of “Danyawadi Razawin Theit,” Narameikhla was by the soil of Arakan and the world’s eye could catch adopted son of the Sultan of Bengal. The Sultan re- what are what and who is who. stored Narameikhla to the throne of Arakan in 1430, In historical perspective, Arakan is more a frontier with the title of Sulayman Shah. There are some writ- province of Eastern India than a province of Burma. ers who claim that Narameikhla converted to Islam. From the very early days till the arrival of the Mongo- According to the inscription of 1442, some Muslim lians and Tibeto-Burmans in the Tenth Century, Ara- kings of Arakan used to visit Ava. Narameikhla also kan was an Indian land with a population similar to visited the king of Ava. Bengal belonging to Aryan stock. The spread of Islam In 1660 A.C Mughal Prince Shah Shuja fled to Arakan. in Arakan during those early times and the impact of Shah Shuja and his followers and every one wearing Islamic civilization on Arakan particularly after Ben- Moorish beard were killed by the King of Arakan on gal became Muslim in 1203 A.D is well known. 7th February 1661. In 1665 the Mughal Force con- According to history, Islam reached Arakan before quered Sandwip, Chittagong and Ramu and Maghs of 788 A.D. and it attracted the local people to come to the area fled to Mruk-U. Thus North Arakan became the fold of Islam en masse. Since then Islam played Muslim area since 1666.

JULY 13 News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

From 1665 to 1710 the Muslims of were made homeless and nearly of these people had begun since Arakan became the king makers of 50,000 were forced to leave and 22- September 1992. Meanwhile, Arakan. In 1666 the Mughal army take shelter in the then East-Paki- unabated infiltration of Rohingyas captured Chittagong and Ramu stan. Rumors of the Muslims of from Arakan to Bangladesh con- from the rule of Maghs. During Arakan’s border were indirectly tinued alongside the repatriation their retreat of Mrohaung the intimidated that they would be re- and pushback, making the whole Magh army units were attacked located to central Burma. There syndrome looks like the burden of by the local Muslims. The Maghs were also threats from multi col- Sisyphus. migrated to Mrohaung side, east ored Magh insurgent groups, espe- History repeats itself. So let us of the Kaladan, and the Muslims cially the Magh Communist Party. wait and see when the history of from the east of Kaladan migrat- Mujahids, a group of Muslims who Narameikhla, the King of Arakan ed to the Mayu valley since 1710. took up arms claimed that they had who was restored to the throne of Thus from the Kaladan to the Naf taken up arms only when all their Arakan by the Sultan of Bengal re- the whole Mayu valley became a protests and appeals had gone un- peats again. purely Muslim area. heeded. They said the Rohingyas In 1875 when Burmese King Bo- settled in Arakan since the 7th daw Paya made an invasion in century and yet they are branded Arakan many people left for Ben- as aliens in their own homeland. gal. Following British occupation Muslims, who were appointed by of Arakan in 1825, some of the the British in the administration WOULD YOU people who earlier migrated to as officers after the transfer of LIKE TO HELP Bengal since 40 years ago started power from the Peace Committee to return to their former homeland under the notification No- 11-OA- THE ROHINGYAS. – Arakan. Many, however, chose C/C/42, were dismissed by the Bur- to remain in Chittagong District. mese government. They are today known as Rohai On 1 May 1961 the government cre- (Rohang). ated the Mayu Frontier Adminis- In 1942 the Maghs launched a po- tration Area covering Maungdaw, grom against the innocent, poor Buthidaung and the western parts and unarmed Rohingyas through- of Rathidaung townships. It was YES? out Arakan. As many as 100,000 the only administration, which Muslims were killed and some gave due consideration to Rohing- SEND US eighty thousand fled to Bengal. yas status during the post inde- During this carnage, some 307 Ro- pendent Burma. Many Mujahids hingya villages were completely laid down arms before the govern- AN EMAIL razed to the ground by the militant ment. The Mayu Frontier adminis- Rakhine Maghs. tration had been in force till it was [email protected] From 1942 to 1945 the whole of handed to the ministry of Home in North Arakan was under the ad- February 1964. ministration of a “Peace Commit- In 1978, the Naga Min Operation tee”, under the leaderships of Mr. was carried out by Ne Win’s BSPP ~ (------) ~ Umrah Meah and Mr. Zahiruddin government driving out 300,000 Ahmed. This was an important pe- Rohingyas across the border to riod for the Muslims of North Ara- Bangladesh. Under an agree- PLEASE SEND US kan. The children of able people ment without condition to restore were sent to Aligarh, Calcutta, and the rights of Rohingya, the Ban- Dhaka for better education. The gladesh government repatriated YOUR British colonial rulers became a some 200,000 refugees to Arakan. little flexible over the posting of According to UNHCR estimate, FEEDBACK Muslim in the government posts. 40,000 died in Bangladesh camps. COMMENTS As a result some Muslims were ac- The rest diffused into Bangladesh commodated in A.T.O., T.O., S.D.O., society. AND Police Inspectors, High School and The SLORC, which came into SUGGESTIONS Middle School Headmasters. power after suppressing Burma’s Soon after the independence of 1988 democratic uprising, reac- AT Burma on 4th January 1948, the tivated Rohingya extermination [email protected] Burma Territorial Force (BTF) and as a result 300,000 Rohingyas, went on a rampage against Muslim had to flee again to Bangladesh villages. Thousands of Rohingyas in 1991/92. However, repatriation

14 ARAKAN VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 www.rohingya.org

JULY 15 News and Analysis of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, Arakan ( Burma)

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