By: Hafizur Rahman, Camp Correspondent
March 10, 2025
Over 300 Rohingya from northern Buthidaung, Rakhine State, have reportedly fallen victim to a human trafficking operation run by an armed group linked to the Arakan Army (AA) and the United League of Arakan (ULA).
Victims were forced to pay 500,000 kyats per person to be transported through remote forested areas to Nganchaw village in northern Maungdaw Township.
Upon arrival, they were required to pay an additional 300,000 kyats before being handed over to human traffickers, who are attempting to smuggle them into Bangladesh.
Forced Displacement and Human Trafficking
Local sources confirm that the AA group has taken control of the Na Kha Kha (5) area in Maungdaw and is charging Rohingya individuals 15,000 kyats per day to be transported to Maungdaw town.
This practice has raised concerns among local observers, who see it as part of a larger, organized human trafficking network.
On March 9, another group of over 300 Rohingya was reportedly moved to Nganchaw village under similar circumstances.
After paying the additional fees, these individuals were placed under the control of human traffickers who, under pressure from AA forces, are preparing to send them across the border into Bangladesh.
AA’s Role in the Exploitation of Rohingya
Eyewitness reports indicate that while some AA members are forcibly removing Rohingya from their villages, others are charging exorbitant fees to transport them to Maungdaw. Additional payments are then demanded for safe passage out of Myanmar.
Observers fear that the AA’s involvement in trafficking networks is making it easier for young Rohingya to be exploited and forced out of the country.
Many Rohingya, already living under severe restrictions and facing constant threats in Rakhine State, feel they have no choice but to seek a way out—even at the risk of falling into the hands of traffickers.
Growing Humanitarian Concerns
This ongoing crisis underscores the escalating dangers faced by the Rohingya community, which remains highly vulnerable to displacement, violence, and exploitation.
Human rights groups are calling for urgent international intervention to address the worsening situation and to hold those responsible for human trafficking accountable.
As the AA tightens its grip over Rohingya-populated areas in Rakhine, the risk of further forced displacement and human trafficking continues to grow, leaving thousands of lives in danger.
