By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw Township, January 15, 2025: The Arakan Army (AA) has intensified its exploitation of Rohingya fishermen and boat workers in Rakhine State, imposing a demand for 50% of their fish earnings. This coercion is causing severe hardships for families relying on fishing to survive.
On January 14, the AA summoned fishermen and boat workers from several villages, including Kyauk Hlair Kar, Mingalar Gyi, Thet Yet O, Yay Yu Taung, Pyin Phyu, and Hla Bo Za, to their base in Pyin Phyu. At the meeting, the AA informed them of the new rule, declaring that non-compliance would result in a ban on fishing in the Naf River.
“If we don’t pay, they won’t let us fish. This is our only way to feed our families,” shared a boat worker who attended the meeting.
The AA’s demands are leaving the Rohingya community in dire straits. Fishermen and boat workers, already living under precarious conditions, are now forced to surrender half their income, making it nearly impossible to sustain their families.
This exploitation is yet another example of the challenges faced by the Rohingya in Rakhine State, as their livelihoods and basic survival continue to be undermined. The community is calling for urgent attention and action to address these injustices and protect their rights.
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