AA Curfew And Night Patrols Strain in Maungdaw

The Arakan Army (AA) imposed a curfew from 7 PM to 6 AM in the northern part of Maungdaw Township, including the Rohingya villages of Kyauk Hle Khar, Thayet Oak, Oo Shay Kya, and Minglalar Gyi, starting on October 2, 2024. The curfew was announced via loudspeakers by village administrators, strictly prohibiting villagers from leaving their homes during the restricted hours.

In addition to the curfew, five Rohingya villagers from each village have been ordered to patrol during the night. The Arakan Army warned that failure to comply with this directive would result in severe consequences.

Last week, six Rohingya villagers from Kyauk Hle Khar and Minglalar Gyi villages were abducted by members of the Arakan Army while returning from a shop at around 8:30 PM. They were forcibly taken to the Pyin Phyu battalion (Naymay 6).

On the evening of October 2, around 5 PM, two young Rohingya boys from Kyet Yoe Pyin village went up a hill to search for their cattle but never returned home. Villagers suspect that the boys may have been detained by the Arakan Army, which is stationed at a camp on the hill.

Additionally, local residents from northern Maungdaw reported that Rakhine individuals have been entering Rohingya residential areas at night under the pretense of searching for frogs. However, during these incidents, valuables such as fishing nets and household items have disappeared. One villager shared, “Rakhine people come into the village claiming to search for frogs, but they end up stealing valuable items like fishing nets. They even threaten Rohingya villagers if they speak out against the theft.”

Rohingya Vision News