The Muslim Affairs Council of Maungdaw District firmly denounces the intentional detention, mistreatment, and murder of innocent individuals by the ARSA and RSO groups. Additionally, it criticizes the harmful provocations enacted by certain foreign organizations such as Fortify Rights.
On October 25, the Muslim Affairs Council of Maungdaw District released a statement denouncing these actions.
The Maungdaw District in Rakhine State has experienced inadequate governance from successive administrations, leading to divisions among local residents.
Additionally, military actions conducted by the Myanmar military, justified as efforts to combat armed groups such as the terrorist ARSA and RSO, have further exacerbated the situation.
The statement emphasized that the local community, particularly Muslims, has experienced significant hardships.
Once the ULA/AA fully defeated the Burmese army and gained control of the Maungdaw district, the area became stable and peaceful. The Muslim community has seen improvements in several areas, such as religion, education, health, and tourism.
Furthermore, Muslims are allowed to work in different government sectors, and Muslim leaders are permitted to establish a jury to discuss and settle matters related to religion and tradition. This advancement has not only brought joy to the local Muslim community but has also encouraged social harmony and peaceful living between the Rakhine people and Muslims.
of improving peace and stability in the region, the militant and terrorist groups ARSA and RSO increasingly engage in the abduction, torture, and murder of innocent individuals, thereby jeopardizing regional peace and the rule of law. It is unfortunate that certain international organizations, such as Fortify Rights, fail to acknowledge or hear the perspectives of the communities that live together in harmony and peace within the nation. Rather, they convey distorted information that stems from the misleading propaganda of terrorist groups," the statement indicated.
These actions have caused tensions between Muslims and the Rakhine ethnic groups because of distrust, suspicion, and fear, which have greatly obstructed the progress of social harmony and peaceful living together.
Consequently, the Maungdaw District Muslim Affairs Council releases a statement that unequivocally denounces the intentional arrests, abuse, and murders of innocent civilians by the militant and terrorist groups ARSA and RSO, along with the harmful provocative actions of certain international organizations such as Fortify Rights.
ARSA abducted three cattle herders from Kin Chaung Village in Maungdaw Township, namely Mami Sandar (aged 16), Maung Ba Htun (aged 41), and Maung Htun Aye (aged 20), who remain in captivity.
Likewise, on October 22, ARSA attacked a truck and a motorcycle that were traveling from Zedi Pyin Village in Rathedaung Township to Kyauk Pandu Village. This assault led to the deaths of two local women and caused injuries to three other individuals, one of whom was a three-year-old child.
On October 11, three motorcycle carriers transporting cosmetics from Nantha Taung village were attacked by ARSA militants, resulting in the death of one male carrier.
On October 5, three villagers from Aung Tharyar who were coming back from shopping in Maungdaw Taung Pyo were assaulted by ARSA militants while traveling between Lak Ra Kwa Son and Tharyar Kone villages, leading to the injury of one local resident.
