By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw, February 5, 2025
More than 100 Rohingya individuals—including infants and elderly persons—are reported to be stranded at sea near Maungdaw after allegedly being trafficked from Buthidaung by a criminal human trafficking network. According to local sources, the group was intended to be transported to Bangladesh in alleged cooperation with local officials, including the village administrator of Kyauk Hle Kha.
Alleged Trafficking Operation
Reports indicate that between February 1 and 3, 2025, human traffickers purportedly facilitated the movement of these Rohingyas by charging each person 1,500,000 MMK (approximately 400 USD) for transport from Buthidaung. Upon arrival in Maungdaw, boat operators are said to have demanded an additional fee of 600,000 MMK per person for passage to Bangladesh. Those unable to pay the full sum were reportedly abandoned at sea in dangerous conditions.
Accusations of Local Complicity
Local authorities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung have been accused of complicity in the operation. In addition, a newly formed human trafficking network is alleged to involve six Rohingya members. Key figures reportedly include:
- U Arju Mullah – administrator of Kyauk Hle Kha village
- Aka Mauddain – deputy administrator
- Maulvi Mogsaud – a local religious preacher
- Shobi Ullah – identified as a medical quack
- Hafiz Ata Ur Rahman and Shomin – from Thar Si village in Magla Gyi
Local reports claim that this surge in trafficking is partly driven by growing fear among Rohingya youth. With allegations of arbitrary arrests and harassment by the Arakan Army (AA), some say that traffickers are taking advantage of the community’s desperation to expand their illicit operations. However, while some observers point to AA involvement, these specific allegations have not yet been independently confirmed.
Rising Concerns Over Exploitation
In recent days, trafficking activities in Buthidaung Township have reportedly become more aggressive. Local accounts suggest that some individuals have been forcibly expelled from their villages, while others have been charged steep sums for transport to Maungdaw—with additional fees imposed for passage to Bangladesh. It is also claimed that both the Arakan Army and the United Liberation Army (ULA) are receiving significant payments from these operations, contributing to the continued exodus of young Rohingya from the region.
A human rights advocate commented,
“In times of desperation, the innocent become prey to those who profit from fear. The Rohingya deserve not just refuge, but dignity and safety.”
Ongoing Efforts and Verification
This situation underscores the growing desperation and exploitation facing the Rohingya community amid long-standing displacement and instability. Local and international human rights organizations have urged authorities to take immediate action to investigate these alleged human trafficking operations and to protect vulnerable individuals fleeing violence.
