On international medias, news about riots in Arakan State have been
described as sectarian conflicts between Buddhists and Muslims. In fact,
it is not as simple as those reporters described. Nor just racial
conflict as well.
So, in order to trace the culprit behind these riots, we need to know relevant historical background for certain reference.
Today, what we called Rohingyas are originally Chittagonian Benglis
who are decedents of Bengalis from Chittagong in Bangladesh. After
British occupation in Myanmar(Burma), they migrated to Arakan state in Myanmar to
be employed on farms. After every season, they usually go back to their
home. During second world war, following Japanese Invasion into Myanmar,
British troops armed Bengali to support them in case of resisting
aggressive Japanese troops. After that, such armed forces were like
death penalty for local landlords, Arakanese. Bengali forces brutalized
and massacred over 2000 of Arakanese and nearly 300 of villages were
completely burned down. British military officers tried to settle down
every situation. This was the first riot between Arakanese and Bengali,
which left massive casualties on Arakanese side.Such conflicts have
grown as a result of 1839 land law which allowed thousands of Indian
decedent immigrants to stream into Myanmar, some of them to Rangoon and
some through Burma-India (now Bangladesh) border.
From that moment, civil clash started to occur and is still unlikely
to end peacefully. After independence from Britain, central control of Myanmar Government was challenged by ethnic rebellions who also gave way
for armed Bengali troops named as Mujaheeden rebellions to claim Maung
Daw and Bu Theedaung districts in Arakan state as their own Islamic
state. In 1978 Myanmar military cracked down Mujahedeen rebellions
making them flee towards Bangladesh. During SPDC period, at least three
times of systematic crack down were accomplished by Burmese military
junta which had created serious condemnation from UN and other Islamic
countries. In 1992, probably due to pressures from Islamic countries of
ASEAN, Myanmar has accepted 230000 of rohingyas in Arakan state.
Bengali Muslims have very different social,cultural and religious
believes compared to local Arakanese. They are Muslims and such
religious difference may have raised pre-existing tensions amongst local
ethnic groups. Traditionally, Arakan state have Muslim ethnic so called
Kamans whom have been acknowledged by Myanmar government although they
are comparatively a minority group. Interestingly, such Muslim Kamans
and Arakanese did not have big racial or religious conflicts. Similarly,
there are also some Muslims living in Arakan state and they don't seem
to have problems with original residents.
After 1942 massacre of Arakanese, tensions have raised uncontrollably
and intention to claim the own state has created strong suspects on
Rohingyas. Neither of any ethnic group in Myanmar shows willingness to
accept rohingyas because ethnic law prescribed in 1947 constitution of Myanmar has clearly stated that ethnic tribes living in Myanmar before A.D
1823 can only be listed as ethnic tribes of Myanmar. This law has been
agreed by all ethnic leaders in Myanmar and was not denied by even Muslim
leaders like U Razak and U Pe Tin.
Such suspects and long term social conflicts of very different social
and cultural norms have already led to a nearly erupted problem.
Arakanese may view Rohingyas as invaders who are destroying their
tradition and religion because in every riots religious places are
always targeted and destroyed. And even though there are other bordering
areas in Myanmar with countries like China and Thailand, such conflict
can be seen but only in Western Burma where Rohingyas are residing. So
this unhealed social wound has spread among local communities for
decades.
Meanwhile, UNHCR and international NGOs recognize rohingyas as
refugees and they provide food,medicine and shelter for rohingyas. And
such organizations pressure on Burmese government to accept them as an
ethnic minority. But Burmese government has denied both proposals
because they are not historically an ethnic group of Burma and can
create a number of conflicts in politically unstable Burma. In such
situations, neglected people are the true owners of this land,
Arakanese. They are not fully protected by Burmese military junta as
they showed strong patriotism on their ethnicity and a rebellion armed
force was formed in post independence period. UNHCR and other iNGOs are
only for rohingyas which is why the gap between the lack of Burmese
government care and NGOs have made Arakanese more vulnerable to every
social problems.
Border Security Forces of Burma are highly notorious for corruption
which make way for rich Bengali to enter central Burma and in turn those
Bengali can pave another routes with their money. Here is the dilemma.
How can refugees be such rich? Some local resources reported that those
aids are provided by international Islamic organizations to promote
Islam in Burma. Bribery and corruption of security forces and
immigration staff make geographically sensitive area Maung Daw to be
dominated by Rohingya Bengalis.
The sense of land loss, ignorance by government, poverty, loss of
traditional pride and massacre in history have created socially negative
views in Arakanese mind on Bengali people. Fear from extinction of
Arakanese has intensify their family sense. Desire to sacrifice for
tradition and religion seem to boost their motivation to defend their
communities from aggressive rohingyas. Although some may claim that
Rohingyas are minorities, they are now majorities in Arakan state and
all Arakanese are at risk of being bullied in many ways.
These social factors have been largely ignored by Burmese Junta and
other Burmese politicians due to unstable local politics. Once erupted,
we can see as riots which are now being described as sectarian
conflicts. In fact, it is not completely true. This is a long lasting
civil conflict rooted from difference in social, cultural and religious
believes. Arakanese people have honorable long history of their monarchy
and kingdom two thousand years ago. They truly believe that they are
belonged to this land. Bengalis are just immigrants with aggressive
behaviors.
Such social conflicts must be viewed closely. Otherwise, giving too much superficial comments will make situation worse.
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