Victim demands swift verdict in Myebon Twsp rape case

By Admin 28 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

28 July 2025, Myebon

The victim and her family are calling for a swift verdict in the case of a man who allegedly attempted to rape a woman in Myebon Township, Arakan State.

The attempted rape occurred in Loomonepaik Village, Myebon Township, and a case brought has dragged on for more than a year, with the victim and her family demanding a fair and speedy trial.

"The victim, who is ashamed and hurt, wants the court to hand down a verdict against the perpetrator," said a source close to the victim's family.

The woman in her 20s was going to the bathroom in her yard at around 6 p.m. on June 20, 2024, when a 24-year-old man dragged her into a nearby backhoe pit and attempted to rape her.

A villager witnessed the incident and, as the man who attempted to rape her fled, villagers surrounded him, detained him and handed him over to local authorities.

The victim's family had filed a case against the alleged perpetrator under Sections 325, 452 and 307 of the Penal Code, but the court granted him bail under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

The case has been ongoing for more than a year, but with little progress, so the victim has enlisted the media to push for justice on her behalf.

After media reports, the alleged perpetrator was rearrested by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) and the judge handling the case was also questioned.

It has been about a month since the alleged perpetrator was rearrested, but with little sign of progress beyond that.

"Since the perpetrator was rearrested, the court has not summoned him for questioning or issued an order. The case is taking longer and longer," said a source close to the victim's family.

Women's activists say efforts should be made to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice as soon as possible.

"The fact that the case has not been decided for over a year should raise some questions about the judiciary. A rape case should not take more than a year and should be decided as soon as possible. In a politically unstable situation, the judiciary cannot function well, but it is necessary to show the public openly and take action seriously," said a woman's activist.

DMG continues to attempt to contact the relevant legal department of the Nova (1) Military Region of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) regarding the current status of the case. On May 6, a 9-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Pharpyo Village, Minbya Township, and DLEPS is reportedly investigating eight suspects.

Although the ULA/AA, which controls most townships in Arakan State, is implementing its own justice system, there are criticisms that it still has many weaknesses.