Rohingya Face Threats Amid Tensions in Maungdaw

Tensions are rising in Maungdaw Township as Rohingya businessmen, community leaders, and religious clerics face coordinated threats and intimidation from both local Rakhine figures and diaspora-based Rohingya factions. Recent developments point to a troubling pattern of harassment targeting those cooperating with the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) in administrative and social roles.

Rakhine Business Leader Accused of Blocking Rohingya Economic Activity

On April 15, sources from Maungdaw reported that U Tun Aye Thein a prominent Rakhine figure and president of the Gold Businessmen Association has been actively threatening Rohingya shop owners seeking to reopen businesses destroyed in recent conflicts. U Tun Aye Thein, who runs the Navarat Pawn Shop in No. (1) Ward, allegedly warned Rohingya gold traders and merchants not to resume operations, claiming he would report them to authorities as associates of extremist groups.

“He said, ‘If you open a shop without listening to me, I will tell the governor that you are related to ARSA.’”

Despite his known ties to the previous military council’s administrative team, U Tun Aye Thein has reportedly not faced action from the current authorities. Instead, he appears to be leveraging influence with military-aligned leaders to undermine Rohingya economic recovery. Witnesses say he and members of the Paung Parakhine group are attempting to forcibly shut down Rohingya-operated businesses and prevent gold trading by Muslims in Maung Taw.

Many Rohingya shops were looted during past violence, and business owners are now relying on support from ULA/AA to return to work. Community leaders are calling for fair investigations and equitable protection under the current administration, regardless of ethnicity.

Rohingya Clerics and Local Leaders Threatened Over ULA/AA Collaboration

Simultaneously, on April 14, reported that Rohingya clerics and parents appointed by ULA/AA to administrative positions at the village and township levels have also come under attack—this time from a diaspora-based Rohingya group known as “Asalala Thu.”

One village administrator working with ULA/AA stated anonymously:

“I’m involved in development work with AA in Maung Taw. But now, even my relatives in Malaysia, Yangon, and the shipyards are being threatened.”

After the circulation of photos from a Waqf-e-Eid event organized by ULA/AA at Hla Pho Head Camp, Rohingya religious leaders and attendees have faced online harassment and threats. Islamic writer Maung Lana Musood has been specifically targeted with defamation for his collaboration with ULA/AA. Sources confirm that false accusations and propaganda are being spread by fake Facebook pages operated by the “Asalala” network to discredit Rohingya individuals active in local governance.

“We don’t take any photos here we save the memories, not upload them online,” said a Rohingya participant of the Eid event, citing safety concerns for relatives abroad.

“We don’t take any photos here we save the memories, not upload them online,” said a Rohingya participant of the Eid event, citing safety concerns for relatives abroad.

The threats have raised alarms within the Rohingya community and prompted calls for more responsible reporting by media outlets. Activists urge local news agencies to avoid publishing photos of Rohingya individuals involved in ULA/AA activities, as doing so may expose them to retaliation.

Rohingya Vision News