Cattle from abandoned Rohingya villages sold to displaced
Sep 27, 2017
Cattle from abandoned Rohingya villages looted and sold by Myanmar soldiers; livestock get resold to other displaced people
YANGON, Myanmar — Thousands of cows and goats grazed in abandoned fields and wandered through charred-out Rohingya Muslim villages after a military crackdown sent nearly a half-million members of Myanmar's long-persecuted religious minorities fleeing across the border.
Now, more than a half-dozen witnesses told The Associated Press, soldiers and police are cashing in on the humanitarian catastrophe. They all spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
In violence-wracked northern Rakhine state, where village after village has been burned to the ground, security forces and local administrators have been collecting the livestock and bringing it by foot, truck and sometimes boat to Buddhist-controlled areas. The prized beasts are then being sold to traders and residents for $200 a head — a quarter of their value.
From there, cows are being taken to the Rakhine state capital, Sittwe, where more than 120,000 Rohingya Muslims displaced by earlier violence in 2012 have been living in sprawling, apartheid-style camps that have been denied access to food and medical assistance. The AP has photos of seized cows being traded behind the state parliament building.
The government has blocked U.N. agencies and international aid organizations from delivering aid to the camps for weeks and the Rohingya living in flimsy bamboo shelters are growing more desperate by the day.
They don't like buying the cows, said a Rohingya Muslim community leader, who asked not to be named for security reasons. But feel they have no choice.
"They are angry because this is livestock that was looted by the army and Rakhine people," he said, adding those in at least two camps refused to buy the cattle because they know if belongs to other Rohingya.
One police officer said he didn't know about the cattle scam.
The Arakan Project, a research and advocacy group active in the region, has also spoken to witnesses who said security forces were collecting abandoned cows and loading them into trucks and boats.
Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million, was home up until recently to 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims. The United Nations says the religious minority is the among the world's most persecuted. In recent years a Rohingya militant group was spawned.
A military crackdown triggered by a coordinated militant assault on 30 police posts and an army base in northern Rakhine on Aug. 25, sent more than 429,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh. Women, weak and starving, arrived by boat carrying listless babies, the elderly and disabled carrying what belongings they could carry struggled to reach the shore.
There are less than 500,000 Rohingya left in Myanmar. Most are in northern Rakhine state, though the entire township of Maungdaw, more than 300,000 people, has been depopulated since the latest crackdown. Rohingya villages in Raethedaung were also hard hit. Violence in Buttidaung was contained to a few villages.
MORE NEWS
From Historic Firsts To Golden Breakthroughs: India's Asian Games 2026 Story
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games saw Indian athletes rewrite record books and end decades-long waits, underlining the growing depth and diversity of the country's sporting talent.
Nitin Gadkari announces over Rs 500 crore for highway strengthening & widening in Bengal: What will change for commuters travelling on NH-14 and NH-114
Nitin Gadkari has announced Rs 508.66 crore for strengthening and selective widening of NH-14 and NH-114 in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The project will cover 91.90 km of NH-14 and 56.40 km of NH-114, with the upgrades aimed at improving road safety, reducing congestion and travel time, and strengthening connectivity for commuters and freight movement.
West Bengal bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar see final campaign push ahead of October 6 vote
Political parties in West Bengal are ramping up their campaigns for the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls. Congress nominee Milan Pradhan has been actively canvassing after his recent bail, having faced multiple legal issues. The BJP's Hasirai Rath is also campaigning vigorously, receiving support from senior party leaders. Other parties, including the Left and ISF, are competing in both constituencies to gain voter support.
Six firms blacklisted over road contract breaches in Jumla
Key Takeways: Companies involved in road construction and maintenance blacklisted Binamra, Shankar Mali and Man Shahi face the longest suspension Blacklisted firms cannot parti...
Delhi: Three women journalists allege sexual harassment during protest, crime branch to probe
Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during protests in New Delhi. The complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for a thorough investigation and inquiry. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Delhi Police for their actions and held the Home Ministry accountable. Demonstrations were held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leading to multiple arrests.
Delhi: Three women journalists allege sexual harassment during protest, crime branch to probe
Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during protests in New Delhi. The complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for a thorough investigation and inquiry. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Delhi Police for their actions and held the Home Ministry accountable. Demonstrations were held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leading to multiple arrests.
7 basic cardio and strength workouts to keep you fitas you grow older
Staying fit does not have to mean expensive gyms or complicated routines. Stair climbing, squats, walking lunges, push-ups, and a few other practical moves cover both cardio and strength training in one go. These seven workouts are simple, research-backed, and easy enough to actually stick to every day.
7 basic cardio and strength workouts to keep you fitas you grow older
Staying fit does not have to mean expensive gyms or complicated routines. Stair climbing, squats, walking lunges, push-ups, and a few other practical moves cover both cardio and strength training in one go. These seven workouts are simple, research-backed, and easy enough to actually stick to every day.
Not much time for experiments, want to play our WC 11 from next series: Gill
India's captain Shubman Gill expressed concern over injuries affecting the performance of his team during recent ODI series. Despite a 2-1 victory over the West Indies, he emphasized the need for a settled squad. Gill highlighted the significance of early wickets and effective fielding, citing dropped catches that affected their momentum. New bowlers had opportunities to showcase their skills although they faced challenges.
Honda Elevate Facelift launch on October 6: Expected price, new features, design changes and more
Honda Cars India has dropped a teaser of the Elevate facelift ahead of its launch. This revamped SUV promises a fresh front design, complete with sleek horizontal segmented LED DRLs that blend seamlessly into the grille. A noteworthy addition is the 360-degree camera, boosting its tech features. While the exterior design will largely stay the same, major mechanical changes are unlikely.
Chhattisgarh CM Sai reaches Singapore to pitch state’s investment potential
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has arrived in Singapore to seek investment opportunities. He will participate in the first SING Forum 2026 hosted by the Singapore Business Federation. This forum aims to highlight Chhattisgarh's achievements and investment potential to global investors. Discussions will center around various sectors and investment prospects in Chhattisgarh. The state government prioritizes creating a strong global identity for attracting investments.