Rohingya risk lives at river as guards close routes out of Burma

ROHINGYA people fleeing Burma for Bangladesh are reportedly being turned away from the border by Burmese police, forcing them to take a more dangerous route across a nearby river.

More than 160,000 people have crossed the border since violence broke out in August, according to the UN refugee agency.

Following reports of injuries caused by landmines on the Burmese border, refugees are also reporting that exit routes are being blocked.

Journalists saw new fires burning yesterday in a Burmese village that had been abandoned by Rohingya Muslims, and pages ripped from Islamic texts that were left on the ground, intensifying doubts about government claims that members of the persecuted minority have been destroying their own homes.

Wading barefoot through mud up to his ankles, Mohammed Zobair carried his infant son on his shoulders. As he approached the border, he said he was stopped by Burmese border guards, who pointed their guns at him and ordered him away.

“It was very difficult to go the other route. The [Naf ] river was very fast flowing, and the children were scared,” said Mr Zobair. Women and children were put into limited spaces on boats, while the men and boys had to swim.

A Bangladeshi border guard confirmed reports that people had died trying to cross the river into the country. He said the border on the Bangladeshi side was open and would remain that way.

Hamida Rahaman was full-term in her pregnancy when the violence reached her village in Rakhine state of Burma, also known as Myanmar.

“I heard gunfire and looked out to see the village was burning,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “I ran to save my life, and the life of my unborn baby. My mind went blank. I thought of nothing. I just ran in fear.”

Mrs Rahaman fled with her husband and other members of her family. After hiding in the forest, the group began to walk towards to Bangladesh. The following day, she went into labour.

She gave birth on the side of the road, with just a plastic sheet for protection. After resting for a few hours, she had to get back on her feet and carry on walking.

The young family have no relatives in Bangladesh, and do not know where they will be able to stay.