Maungdaw, Arakan State: A market set up by local Rohingya villagers has turned into a prostitution den in Maungdaw Township recently in a nexus with the authorities, alleged an elder on condition of anonymity, said a businessman from Maungdaw Town.

A group of Rohingya villagers built a market in Khadir Bill village near Maungdaw-Aley Than Kyaw road a year ago. But, the market was seized by Khadir Bill Natala villagers with the help of local Nasaka personnel on February 21, this year. This place is four kilometers from Maungdaw town.

The owners of the market are: former Chairman of Maungdaw market committee son of Haider, Haji Khasim (60), son of Hashim, Abu Shama (47), son of Nazu Meah, Md. Hussain ( 62). However, they continued to operate the market for a year after construction of the market.  But, since February 21, the owners of the market were barred from going to the market by Natala villagers, who occupied the whole market. It has 35 rooms, said a relative of the owners.

Now, it has become a prostitution den controlled by Natala villagers with help from local Nasaka. Now, it has 35 prostitutes with Natala villagers controlling the brothel. Expect, their customers no one is allowed to go the prostitute hub.  If any one goes there, he will be beaten up.

As a result, local Rohingya youths are being spoilt and their parents are worried about them being afflicted with diseases such as HIV/ AID, said a parent from Maungdaw town.

Regular customers are Nasaka personnel, soldiers, policemen, other local government servicemen, businessmen taxi and car drivers and local youth.