Two communities, two law in one city

Maungdaw, Arakan State: A sole agent for wheel taxes is playing between two communities with two types of law for collecting wheel taxes in Maungdaw, said a vehicle owner from Maungdaw.

“U Kyaw Zaw- a former intelligent serviceman from Khin Nyunt period- is a Rakhine community and the sole agent of Maungdaw to collect wheel tax from transport vehicle.”

The sole agent uses four gangsters to collect wheel tax from vehicles which run on the road of Maungdaw where two communities are living. The majority community is Rohingya and the minority is Rakhine. Both community own vehicles for transport business for their survival, said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“But, the sole agent collect 1000 kyat from Rohingya where only 500 kyat from Rakhine per day. Without sole agent period, the government –Municipal – is collecting only 100-200 kyat per truck/ bus per day.”

“The tri-wheeler taxi has to give 6000 kyat per month from Rohingya but no tax for Rakhine community. The personnel using motorcycle has to pay 18,000 kyat where no tax for Rakhine. The Rohignya who use the motorbike only one week in the year must have to pay all year.”

The government is giving sole agent system in Maungdaw, by taking huge money from agent. The authority didn’t involve in their system. Whatever the agent want, he can do as per his wish. If anyone opposes the system, the police or security personnel took action against the person who opposed, said a politician from Maungdaw.

The authority –security personnel- are full favor of agent and whatever the agent want the security stand for agent. So, agent is likely the high officer in Maungdaw. The wheel tax agent harasses and discriminates Rohingya vehicles owners through his agent system. He is trying to destroy the business of Rohingya from his way, said a student from Maungdaw.