by Hafizur Rahman
March 15, 2026
The Arakan Army has seized the homes of two former Rohingya village leaders in Maungdaw Township while also announcing high fees for Rohingya residents seeking permission to travel to Bangladesh for medical treatment, according to local sources in northern Arakan.
The homes belonged to former village chairmen U Abas, 42, and U Ramat Ullah, 50, from Mingalar Gyi village in northern Maungdaw. Both men previously served as village leaders during the period of Myanmar government administration.
After the Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw, the two former leaders reportedly received threats and later fled to Bangladesh with their families for safety.
However, one family member from each household remained in the village. The son of U Ramat Ullah and the younger brother of U Abas had been living in the houses for more than a year.
Local sources said that on March 12, Arakan Army soldiers arrived in the village and forced the remaining family members to leave the houses before taking control of the properties. The soldiers also damaged the fences surrounding the homes.
Sources said the houses were seized after the former village leaders were accused of having connections with the Myanmar Junta.
Residents say that during the previous government administration, many people worked in village administrative positions, and most of them were not Rohingya. They said only a small number of Rohingya held such roles, while most were from the Rakhine community.
Some residents claim that Rohingya properties are now being targeted. Local observers say that if accountability is to be applied, it should be applied equally to all ethnic groups.
High Fees Announced for Medical Travel
In a separate development, Rohingya residents in Buthidaung Township say the Arakan Army has announced high fees for those seeking permission to travel to Bangladesh for medical treatment.
According to the announcement, Rohingya families must pay 500,000 kyats for each child and 800,000 kyats for each adult to obtain permission to cross the border for medical care.
Many residents say the fees are extremely high and beyond the ability of most Rohingya families to afford.
A Rohingya resident from Buthidaung told Rohingya Khobor that many sick people urgently need treatment but cannot pay such large amounts of money.
“Many people are suffering from illness, but we cannot afford these fees,” the resident said.
Another resident said families with sick children are particularly worried because they have no way to pay the required amount.
Rohingya communities in Buthidaung and nearby areas often try to travel to Bangladesh when serious medical treatment is not available locally.
Residents say the newly announced fees have created fear and concern among many families who worry they may no longer be able to seek life saving medical treatment across the border.
