by Hafizur Rahman. Kyauktaw, Arakan State — October 24, 2026
Rohingya residents in Kyauktaw Township say requirements to obtain permission from several offices are restricting their access to work, markets and medical care in areas under Arakan Army control.
According to local sources, travellers must obtain documents from their village administrator, an office identified by the sources as DLEPS, and the relevant United League of Arakan area office before making certain journeys between villages or travelling to town.
The sources described payments of 5,000 kyats at the village level, 3,000 kyats at the DLEPS office and 2,000 kyats at the area office—a combined cost of 10,000 kyats per traveller.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the payments or establish whether they are officially prescribed fees. The amounts differ from those residents described in an earlier report, and it remains unclear whether charges vary by location or have changed.
Workers and Traders Describe Lost Opportunities
Local sources said obtaining the documents can take an entire day because applicants must visit offices several kilometres apart. They also reported that the area office requires two witnesses and information about applicants’ family members.
For daily labourers seeking work outside their villages, the sources said, the cost and time involved can make a journey unaffordable. Some workers have reportedly stopped travelling for employment, while traders face difficulties buying supplies.
The sources also said the requirements affect people seeking medical treatment. The available accounts did not establish what exemptions, if any, apply to emergencies.
Residents described the requirements as discriminatory. Rohingya Khobor could not independently establish how the rules are applied to different communities across the township.
The information available did not include an AA/ULA explanation of the reported fees, travel requirements or arrangements for urgent medical journeys.
