By: Camp Correspondent, Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State – February 17, 2025
A Rohingya refugee was found dead along the Naf-River, west of Maghla Gyi village in Maungdaw Township, after he went missing while fishing, according to local sources.
The victim has been identified as U Hla Maung, a displaced person originally from Kyain Tan Ward in Maungdaw town who had been temporarily residing in Kyauk Hla Gyi village due to ongoing conflicts. Struggling to provide for his family, U Hla Maung relied on fishing in the Naf-River as a source of income.
On February 16, around 5:00 PM, he left home to fish but never returned. His family anxiously waited through the night, and when he did not reappear the next morning, relatives and neighbors organized a search. At approximately 7:00 AM on February 17, his body was discovered near the riverbank, bearing visible injuries. With assistance from the local administration, his body was recovered and subsequently buried later that afternoon.
Local residents have raised suspicions that U Hla Maung may have been killed by Arakan Army (AA) forces patrolling the river. In recent days, stricter movement restrictions and more frequent security checks by AA troops have been reported in Rohingya communities, intensifying fears of growing hostility.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, while community members continue to express deep concern over the increased security measures and their impact on the lives of vulnerable Rohingya refugees.
