The undersigned organisations have strongly condemned the massacre of 10 Muslims, including 8 pilgrims, at 3 p.m on 3 June 2012, by an organized terrorist gang of Buddhist Rakhines at Taunggote, in southern Arakan State, Burma.

While the victims were on their way back to Yangon in a bus travelling from Sandoway to Yangon in a bus, Rakhine terrorists set upon it and massacred 8 Muslim pilgrims along with the driver and a caretaker. However, 5 Muslims could escape the carnage. The culprits were celebrating triumph spitting and tossing the wine and alcohol on the dead bodies lying on the road.

The names of the 8 murdered pilgrims were: (1) Muhammed Sharief (a) U Ne Pwe (58) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 095548, (2)Muhammed Hanif (a) U Maung Ni (65) NRC No. Ta Ka Ta (N) 095530, (3) Shafield Bai (a) U Aye Lwin (52) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 094557, (4) Aslam Bai (a) U Aung Myint (50) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 094557, (5) Balai Bai (a) Tayzar Myint (28) NRC No. Ta Ka Ta (N) 189815, (6) Shuaib (a) Tin Maung Htwe (21) NRC No. 8/Ta Ka Ta (N) 231084, (7) Salim Bai (a) Aung Bo Bo Kyaw (26) NRC No 14/Ma La Na (N) 231084, (8) Lukman Bai (a) Za Nyi Nyi Htut (33) NRC No 14/Ma La Na (N) 148133.

In recent months anti-Rohingya propagandas have been carried out by Rakhine extremists and xenophobes inside and outside of Burma harping on the old tune, “Rohingya is not a nationality in Burma, they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh” with intent to exterminate them ultimately. Surprisingly these organized efforts have been carried out in line with the recent statements of some responsible ministers and authorities of the U Thein Sein government. Nevertheless, the rejection of Rohingya coupled with continued persecution and ‘Rakhine terrorism' against them indicates the early sign of genocide in Arakan.

However, the government is fully responsible for law and order situation in the whole country. It should not make the Muslims scapegoats, but it has full responsibility to protect rights, honour and dignity of all citizens.

We, therefore, demand U Thein Sein government to immediately conduct an impartial, comprehensive investigation and take exemplary action against the culprits in the interest and peace and security in the region.

We urge upon the international community with the UN, OIC, EU, ASEAN, USA and the governments of the world, international human rights organisations and NGOs to put effective pressure on the ruling Burmese government for the protection and security of life, property, dignity and honour of the Muslim minority in Burma.
Kaladan press network