Rohingya fishermen from southern Maungdaw have been blocked by high-level Burmese authorities from using their boats in the sea, said an anonymous fisherman from the area.
Police from Aley Than Kyaw and Khonzabill village tracts announced the new regulations during a Dec. 3 meeting.
One anonymous source told the Kaladan Press Network they were told no-one is allowed to fish without permission. If they try, they will be fined at least one million kyats (US$1018). When the police were asked why, they declined to respond, saying the orders have come from higher authorities.
A fisherman named Dawlu (not his real name) expressed deep concern. These new impositions will have a great effect on our very survival, said Dawlu, recognized as a leader among fellow seafarers.
In the past, the recently disbanded border guard force Nasaka constantly harassed them, often arresting without provocation as a means to extort money.
Restrictions on movement have caused severe impoverishment to a community that is struggling to earn a basic livelihood, said one politician based near the Burma-Bangladesh border.
Policies following the 2012 violence has been crippling, it will eventually destroy them, he said.
Government heads from central to state to municipal aren’t sincere in addressing problems facing the community. They never keep their promises despite paying lip service during frequent meetings with international non-governmental organizations and foreign delegations frequently, he said