One of two local businessmen who were abducted by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorist group in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, in August has been released. However, family members of the other businessman have expressed concern as they have not been able to establish contact with him.

U Arafat, 34, a resident of Sa Bai Kone Muslim village in northern Maungdaw Township, has been freed, while 32-year-old U Salahman Khan (aka) U Hla Win remains missing with no contact with his family.

According to eyewitnesses, on August 12th at approximately 6:00 PM, the two businessmen were stopped by members of the ARSA terrorist group while travelling from Sa Bai Kone to Kyeinchaung village. The ARSA members also set fire to the vehicle in which the men were travelling.

Sources have indicated that U Hla Win is a seafood business owner and U Arafat is his business partner.

According to a close family member who spoke to Narinjara, U Arafat was released one week after being abducted and is currently residing in a refugee camp located in Bangladesh.

"In fact, he was released a week after his arrest, but it appears that he fled to Bangladesh out of fear that he would be interrogated by the authorities with suspicion if he returned to his home village. We still don't know where he was released, but we have received reliable information that he is now heading to a refugee camp”, the source said.

Due to security concerns, the specific name of the refugee camp where U Arafat is currently staying could not be disclosed.

The family of U Salahman Khan (aka) U Hla Win is extremely worried about his well-being as they have not received any communication from him and have lost all contact.