Pregnant woman assaulted during attempted rape in Mrauk-U

By Admin 20 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

20 August 2026, Mrauk-U

A nine-month pregnant woman was physically assaulted during an attempted rape in Paukpinkwin Village, Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State.

The victim's husband brought a 36-year-old fellow villager to their home at around 10 p.m. on August 17 under the pretext of discussing work and drinking alcohol.

Family members reported that after the husband fell asleep due to intoxication, the visitor attempted to rape the woman. When she resisted, the attacker beat her, choked her and kicked her in the abdomen.

The perpetrator fled the scene after local villagers arrived in response to the victim's cries for help.

The victim is currently receiving emergency medical treatment at a hospital, where the condition of her unborn child remains critical.

The perpetrator was identified as 36-year-old Ko Zaw Myint Tun, a former resident of Ohtein Village in Mrauk-U Township who currently lives in Paukpinkwin Village.

The Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) has arrested the suspect and is proceeding with legal action.

"The current situation is alarming for women. There is no security anywhere. We feel unsafe even inside our own homes, as well as when walking outside. With two or three rape cases occurring in a single village, everyone must remain extremely cautious," a local woman in Mrauk-U Township said.

Earlier, on April 22, a 60-year-old man sexually assaulted a four-year-old child in Paukpinkwin Village, Mrauk-U Township. The perpetrator in that case was also arrested by DLEPS.

Rape and sexual violence cases are rising across areas controlled by the Arakan Army in Arakan State, leaving women vulnerable to various forms of abuse and lacking security.

Critics point out that while the judiciary department of the United League of Arakan takes legal action in response to sexual assaults, the proceedings lack transparency and effective deterrent sentencing remains limited.

"The penalties imposed by the Arakan Army do not serve as a sufficient deterrent to perpetrators, so fear of consequences does not take hold. Patriarchal mindsets viewing women as weak persist. During these hardship-ridden times, such attitudes lead to acts of violence against women. Perpetrators also exploit the state-building period, believing authorities are too distracted to focus on individual crimes," a female rights activist from Myebon said.

Thirteen cases of sexual assault have been reported in territories controlled by the Arakan Army this year, with sentencing finalized in only one case in Autseik Village, Ponnagyun Township.