by Hafizur Rahman
Rohingya residents in northern Rakhine State say they are being forced into military service through intimidation, arrests, and pressure, while recruitment meetings are being recorded to create the appearance of voluntary participation.
According to residents, meetings are being held in villages and town wards where Rohingya are instructed to join military service. During these gatherings, multiple cameras are placed inside and outside the rooms. Residents said people are pressured to sign documents, and many comply out of fear rather than consent.
A Rohingya man from Maungdaw said the recordings do not reflect free choice. “They record us when we sign, but we are not free to say no. The cameras are there to show something that is not true,” he said.
Fear behind recorded signatures
Residents said camera operators often move close to individuals as they sign papers, capturing clear images and videos. According to locals, the footage is later used to suggest that Rohingya are joining willingly.
“If we refuse, we are threatened,” said another resident. “If we agree, they film us. Either way, we lose our safety and our dignity.”
Several residents said the presence of cameras increases pressure, making it harder for people to refuse without fear of punishment.
Arrests and forced training
Reports from the ground indicate that Rohingya are also being arrested and taken to military training centers against their will. In recent weeks, dozens of Rohingya from Maungdaw town and nearby villages were reportedly taken away following forced recruitment efforts.
Sources said recruitment lists have been prepared using household records. Even individuals who clearly stated they did not want to join are reportedly being targeted for detention.
Residents fear that further arrests will follow as pressure on the community intensifies.
Community fears erasure and backlash
A Rohingya elder described growing anxiety about the future. “We are being used for politics and war. They do not see us as people, only as tools. Our community feels like it is slowly being erased,” he said.
Residents also said public statements claiming that no forced recruitment is taking place do not reflect reality. While authorities insist participation is voluntary, villagers say fear, threats, and violence shape daily life.
At the same time, Rohingya expressed concern about rising hostility. They said some media narratives are portraying Rohingya as collaborators with armed forces, increasing anger and mistrust toward the community.
Many Rohingya said they feel trapped between powerful actors, without protection or a voice. They fear that the combination of forced recruitment, arrests, recorded meetings, and misleading narratives is placing their lives and future at serious risk.
As of now, the Arakan Army has not publicly responded to the allegations, and independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access to the area.
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