Victims dissatisfied after suspect released in Maungdaw rape and corpse concealment case

By Admin 28 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

28 April 2026, Maungdaw

Victims are dissatisfied following the release of a person who was being detained and interrogated in a case where a 16-year-old boy allegedly raped and murdered a 3-year-old girl and attempted to hide the body in Aung Thukha Village, southern Maungdaw Township, an area controlled by the Arakan Army.

On March 16, 2026, at after 2:00 PM, a 16-year-old boy from the same village took a child over the age of two to his home, where he raped and murdered her.

The perpetrator has been identified as Maung Pauk Sa Chay. It is reported that after raping and killing the young girl, he wrapped her in a sack and attempted to hide the body in the forest outskirts of the village alongside his mother, Daw Hla Mya Than.

The perpetrator and his accomplice mother were arrested by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) under the Arakan Army on March 16. However, since the mother was released on April 17, victimized family members and villagers have been demanding justice.

"We have filed charges against the perpetrators under four counts. However, DLEPS released the mother of the perpetrator. This is completely unjust. We want justice," a male family member of the victim told DMG.

Family members of the victim filed the lawsuit seeking action against those involved in the case for rape, murder, attempted concealment of a corpse, and robbery.

Because DLEPS released the mother, dissatisfied family members and villagers staged a protest in front of the court on April 19 to voice their demands.

Villagers stated that the released woman, Daw Hla Mya Than, no longer dares to live in the village and has fled to another location.

"During the legal proceedings, the court did not call any family members. They conducted the questioning and answering themselves. We, the family members, do not know whether the perpetrator was sentenced to 20 years or life imprisonment. Therefore, it would be better if things were handled fairly," the man added.

The Justice Department under the United League of Arakan has announced that under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code, anyone who commits rape against females under the age of 12 in Arakan State shall be punished with life imprisonment or up to 20 years in prison.

On January 17, 2026, another incident occurred in Aung Thukha Village where a 50-year-old man raped a 6-year-old girl.

On April 22, 2026, a man in his 60s raped a 4-year-old girl in Paukpinkwin Village, Mrauk-U Township.

On February 24, 2026, a school teacher over the age of 50 from the Teza Yarma monastic school in Hsin Cha Seik Ward, Mrauk-U, committed an act of indecency by digital penetration on an 8-year-old female student studying at the school.

Similarly, on March 3, a man around the age of 40 named U Tun Aung Chay raped an 8-year-old girl in Phadugyi Village, Pauktaw Township, and he is currently a fugitive.

Incidents of rape and sexual violence are occurring frequently in Arakan Army controlled areas of Arakan State, and the public is urging the Justice Department to deliver justice for these cases as quickly as possible.