by Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, Arakan State — October 8, 2026
Three young Rohingya women from Buthidaung Township, including two minors, were reportedly ordered to appear before a court in Maungdaw on Thursday after being detained for allegedly attempting to leave their villages without permission from the Arakan Army (AA).
According to local sources who spoke to Rohingya Khobor, the three are aged 16, 17 and 18 and come from different villages in Buthidaung Township.
Local sources alleged that the young women were detained after attempting to travel outside their villages without obtaining permission from AA authorities. They were reportedly planning to travel to Malaysia.
“The three girls were arrested because they tried to leave their villages without permission. They were later given a case for illegally leaving the villages,” a local source said.
Another resident familiar with the reported case said the families were worried about the court proceedings.
“Their families are worried because the girls have been ordered to appear before the Maungdaw court,” the resident said.
According to local sources, the three were instructed to appear before the court at around 10:30 am on October 8.
It was not immediately known whether they appeared before the court, whether any formal charges had been filed or whether they remained in custody.
Rohingya residents in parts of northern Arakan State have previously reported restrictions on travelling between villages and townships, including requirements to obtain permission from local authorities.
Rohingya Khobor could not independently verify the reported detentions, the legal basis of the alleged case or the court summons.
The identities of the three young women are being withheld to protect their safety, particularly as two are minors.
