KIF A Rahman|Arakan Watch
May 10, 2017
The Buddhist ultra-nationalist mob reportedly attacked Muslim houses at Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in Rangoon last night. Tens of Muslim residents were injured in this attack by the mob. Two of them were reported to be hospitalized where one is said to has been severely injured. The attack was carried out after appearing the court by three mobs who faced charges under section 505(b).
According to the report of our correspondent, a gathering of radical nationalists numbering over 100 led by anti-Muslim extremist Ma Ba Tha group reportedly converged at Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in Rangoon at around 10:00 pm last night. The mob group came at the Muslim area with several cars and motor bykes and searched for Rohingya Muslims through out the night in the area whom they claimed to have sought refuge in the area leaving from crack-down by military violence and persecutions in Arakan State without official permission. However, the search did not turn up any illegal residents.
The crowd at the attack area of Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in Rangoon
It was reported from authentic and reliable sources that the gathering was planned in advance by some Buddhist nationalists to gather in the Muslim area of Mingalar Taung Nyunt township several days before the violence began.
“The Buddhist mob eportedly entered a home on Naung Yoe Street, between 122nd and 123rd streets claiming ‘Bengalis’ referring to Rohingyas were inside”, an eye witness said to the local reporters. Muslims residents staying in the house were severely beaten by members of Buddhist group.Two Muslim men were later admitted to a local hospital where one is reported to have been severely injured.
No police from the nearby station came to save the victims during the attack at night. The mob began to disperse after police came and fired two warning shots at them early this morning. No arrests of the attackers were noted till this report.
Earlier, the ultra-nationalist Buddhist mob sealed off un-noticed two Islamic schools in Thaketa Township in Rangoon two weeks ago falsely claiming the schools were holding prayers without permission of the concerning authority.
It is noted that on the same day, Win Ko Ko Latt and two other nationalist leaders, Ko Phoe Thar and Ko Naungtaw Lay, appeared in Court to face a charge under section 505(b). Like the previous incident, their supporters attended , this time wearing T-shirts reading “No 505(b)”.
Prior to the court appearance, members of this ultra-nationalist groups spread messages on social media saying that “a bigger movement than Thaketa is coming”.
Independent observers claimed that there is an inter-link between the two incidents. On both days, nationalist leaders appeared in court facing charges under section 505(b) of the Penal Code, for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause breech of communal harmony. On both days, the incidents occurred after the court appearances had concluded.
What comes next?
The next date of trial is on May 12, when the six who appeared in Kamaryut Township Court on April 28, the day on which Takheta incidence took place are scheduled to attend. It’s unclear what else the nationalists are planning!!??
But if the past weeks have been of any indication, vigilance should must be required to escape another untoward occurence.
Muslims in Rangoon have been in fear of more man-made untoward incidences any time and passing their days in unknown consternation and dismay.
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