One of two men abducted by ARSA in Maungdaw Twsp released, family says

By Admin 12 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
12 September 2023, Maungdaw
 
Family members say they have had phone contact with one of two Muslim men from Sabeikone Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, who were abducted by members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) last month.
 
Sabah, 23, contacted his family members in Bangladesh on September 11 after being released by ARSA.
 
“One of two Muslim men freed by ARSA is currently taking shelter at a refugee camp in Bangladesh. I don’t know exactly whether he was beaten during his arrest. When I phoned him, he didn’t pick up the mobile phone,” said a family member of Sabah.
 
Ko Maung Hla Win, 35, from Sabeikone Village and his younger brother Sabah, 23, were taken by ARSA members while going to Kyeinchaung bazaar at about 5 p.m. on August 12. ARSA members were also accused of burning a vehicle on the road section between Laungdon and Kyeinchaung villages in Maungdaw Township.
 
Ko Maung Hla Win has yet to be in contact with family members.
 
“ARSA is not an organisation within the framework of the law and so his safety is more of a concern,” said a family member of Ko Maung Hla Win.
 
The two men moved with their families to Sabeikone Village from Maungdaw about two years ago, and are engaged in fish and shrimp farming, according to locals.
 
A Muslim man from Meekyaung Khaungswel Village in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, was found dead on September 10, one day after he was detained by ARSA, locals said.
 
Locals are worried as both armed and unarmed ARSA members have been reported in Maungdaw District — comprising the two aforementioned townships — in recent weeks.