Trouble for Hindus and Buddhists in Myanmar, 5000 houses burnt, war between army and rebels taking communal form

The civil war that has been going on for months in Myanmar is taking a severe form due to which the situation is worsening. The situation is most serious in Rakhine state, where a fierce war is waging between the junta-led Myanmar army and ethnic rebel groups. The military conflict has now turned into communal tension, the consequences of which are being borne by the community living in the area. According to the New Indian Express report, around 5000 houses of Buddhists and Hindus have been burnt in Buthidaung. Located just 25 kilometers from the Bangladesh border, these 5000 houses were set on fire just because they belonged to Buddhists and Hindus.

The report said that due to the conflict, most of the people have already left the area and fled to safer areas. Due to this many houses were vacant, but some people are still living here. The houses were looted and then burnt in front of them. Quoting the source, the report said that for this, young boys recruited from Rohingya camps in Bangladesh are being used by the junta army. In recent times, the junta has started recruiting Rohingyas to deal with the shortage of soldiers in the army. These are the same Rohingyas who had to endure atrocities during the military rule and millions of Rohingyas had fled leaving everything behind.

Area captured by rebels
These houses were burnt between 11 April and 21 April. Buthidaung is now under the full control of the rebel ethnic group Arakan Army. According to reports, most of the local Muslims living in Buthidaunga and Maungada are not ready to be a part of the communal fight. Some of them have sought help from the rebels to move to safe areas.

A report from a source said that according to the 2018 census, there were only 3000 houses in Buthidaung, but today this number has increased to 10000. There are many people who have left their homes from other areas and settled here. More than 50 percent of the residents here are Muslims, while the remainder are Buddhist and Hindu ethnic groups.

Communal conflict in rakhine
Rakhine is one of the areas of Myanmar that has been most affected by communal violence. A decade ago, communal tensions flared up here, leading to the exodus of millions of Rohingyas. A large number of Rohingyas took refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. It is estimated that currently 10 lakh Rohingya are in Bangladesh. Recently there were reports that Myanmar’s junta is forcibly recruiting Rohingya youth from refugee camps into the army. Some of them run away but the rest take part in the fight.