“Half for Them, or No Fishing”: Arakan Army Imposes Extortion on Rohingya Fishermen in Naf River

By: Hafizur Rahman

August 2, 2025, Maungdaw, Arakan State
Dozens of Rohingya fishermen in Maungdaw Township are being forced to hand over half of their catch to the Arakan Army (AA) in exchange for the right to fish in the Naf River, according to residents. The new rule came into effect on August 1 and is being described by community members as blatant extortion under the guise of “permission.”

More than 80 fishermen from Shwezar, Kyauk Hlakar, and Mingalar Gyi villages were summoned early Friday to Area (6), where an AA battalion commander laid out new requirements for fishing access.

“We were told we must submit our name, father’s name, address, and photo one day in advance through the village administrator,” said one fisherman. “Only then will AA allow us to fish the next day.”

But the condition came with a heavy price.

“They said half of whatever we catch must go to them,” explained another fisherman. “And if we cross their designated fishing zones, they will ‘take action.’ We’re fishing with fear over our shoulders.”

Surveillance and Intimidation

The AA reportedly gave the fishermen a phone number and instructed them to call if they spotted any armed men or “suspicious activity” in the river area.

“If we don’t report, they said we’ll be severely punished,” said a young fisherman from Shwezar, adding that many now fear both retaliation and surveillance during their daily livelihood activities.

Not a Tax—It’s Extortion, Say Community Leaders

Rohingya community leaders have condemned the AA’s actions, stressing that this is not a formal tax but a coercive and discriminatory policy targeting an already marginalized population.

“This is not governance—it’s extortion,” said a village elder. “Fishermen barely make enough to feed their families. Taking half their catch is like taking away their children’s food.”

With no alternative sources of income and growing restrictions on movement and aid access, fishing remains one of the last survival options for many Rohingya families in northern Arakan. The new policy threatens to push already food-insecure communities deeper into hunger and desperation.

Appeal for Urgent Review

Fishermen and local leaders are now urging the United League of Arakan (ULA)—the political wing of the AA—to investigate and immediately stop these exploitative practices, which they say amount to collective punishment and economic persecution.

Human rights observers warn that the forced sharing of resources under threat—especially when imposed selectively on Rohingya communities—violates international humanitarian principles and could constitute an abuse of authority.