Rohingya Claims Of Torture, Death If Ransom Not Paid

SONGKHLA (Thailand), May 5 (Bernama) -- Victims of human trafficking who were taken to a camp on Khao Rup Chang Hill in Sadao, Songkhla were tortured and killed by their captors. Kuramia, an uncle of Hasim, a victim of human trafficking, claimed his nephew was beaten to death by those involved in human trafficking. Speaking to reporters, he said he had paid a US$2,852 (95,000 baht) in ransom to secure Hasim's release but the latter was not freed. On the other hand, a member of the group whom he knew as Anuar, demanded that Kuramia pay another US$3,602 (120,000 baht). As his family did not have the amount demanded, Kuramia said he lodged a police report in Nakornsri Thammarat. He said Hasim was later killed when Anuar came to know he had lodged a police report. Anuar was arrested by the police following which, the camp was located - about 300 metres from the Thai-Malaysia border. There were also 30 graves of Rohingya. Kuramia, is the first person to speak to journalists in Nakhornsri Thammarat via interpreters since the tragic discovery. Another witness who declined to be identified, said he was among those who were rescued after his mother paid a US$1,667 (RM6,000) ransom to the human trafficking group of which Anwar, a Rohingya, was a member. He said the victims at the camp were assaulted with a stick and some were shot dead at the camp which was owned by a Thai. He said they left Yakhai in Myamnar, about six months ago and were promised work in Malaysia but were instead, held at the camp in Sadao. He claimed more than 500 Rohingya had died in detention camps along the Thai-Malaysia border. Ninth Division Deputy Police chief Maj Gen Pol Phuttichat Akkachan said the cause of death would be determined when post-mortem was carried out. "We will know if Hasim's body is among the bodies at the camp," he added. The Songkhla Nakharin Hatyai University Hospital which conducted post-mortem on the exhumed bodies, also took DNA samples before they were re-buried at the Kampung Pru cemetery in the Hatyai district. Thousands of Rohingya were estimated to have been incarcerated along the Thai-Malaysia border, and were either waiting for ransom money from their families or to be turned into labourers, according to the authorities and non-governmental organisations. --BERNAMA