Maungdaw: Four people in western Burma were recently arrested by the Burmese border security force for holding illegal mobile phones from Bangladesh. Among the arrestees are two people identified as Maung Kuu, alias Musar Mauk, and Joyni from Shwe Zar Quarter in Maungdaw.

The other two arrestees were identified as Marmad Shar from Taung Wra Village in Myint Lwat Village Tract, and Zarhite Husein from Wra Thite Village in Kuak Laygar Village Tract in Maungdaw Township.

According to a family source, Maung Kuu was arrested during a raid on his house by Nasaka captain Nyunt Tin on the night of 30 July, and he is currently being detained at Nasaka headquarters. Nasaka authorities have asked for 5 million kyat from Maung Kuu's family to release him from jail without a trial.

The family is only able to pay 2 million kyat and Nasaka has refused to accept this amount in exchange for Maung Kuu's freedom.

A local source in Maungdaw Township said that typically when Nasaka arrests those with illegal mobile phones, they ask for bribes from them. If the targeted suspect can't afford their demands, they face severe punishment - including up to two or three years in prison.

Burmese authorities recently announced a crackdown on illegal mobile phone owners throughout the border areas, including the Thai and China - Burma border.

It is unclear, however, whether the recent arrests of these four people in the western Burmese border region are related to the authorities' crackdown on illegal mobile phone holders.

In Burma's border areas, many local people use mobile phones from the neighboring country in order to communicate with other parts of the world. #

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