By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw, Rakhine State — 5 July 2025 | Tensions are rising across Maungdaw Township as the Arakan Army (AA) continues to detain respected Rohingya elders without formal charges or explanation, fueling widespread fear and uncertainty among residents.
According to local sources, on 2 July, AA personnel arrested U Saw Lamat (60)—a diabetic patient and well-known shelter owner from Ward No. 1, and U Photo (65)—who suffers from asthma and owns a riverside shelter. Another man, U Mawji Ullah, was taken from Maung Ni village. All were reportedly detained at their homes without warning.
The detainees were initially taken to the AA’s intelligence office, before being transferred to Naka Kha (2)—a location frequently used by the AA as a detention center. Since their arrest, families have been denied access, and efforts to deliver food or medication have been blocked.
“U Saw Lamat and U Photo are not connected to any armed group,” said a neighbor in Maungdaw. “They are respected community elders, known for their honesty and kindness. Arresting sick and innocent people like them is both unjust and inhumane.”
A young Rohingya man shared his growing anxiety:
“If well-known elders can be taken for no reason, the rest of us are not safe. We live in fear—no one knows who will be next.”
In a separate incident on 21 June, a young man known as Gura Futinna (Rozawkawrim), the son of a local shopkeeper, was also detained by the AA. He was reportedly assisting the group by transporting personnel when he was suddenly taken. His family says he never returned, and their visit to Naka Kha (2) was rejected without explanation.
These detentions have created a climate of fear and silence in Maungdaw. Residents say they now avoid public gatherings, limit movement, and refrain from speaking out—fearing retaliation or arrest.
Community members are urgently calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained—especially those with chronic illnesses. They also stress the need for international attention and accountability to protect civilians from unlawful arrests and intimidation.
“Maungdaw has already suffered enough,” one resident said. “If this continues, the situation here could spiral beyond control.”
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