Chakma ethnic committee seeks resolution over Thinbawhla recruitment dispute in Maungdaw

By Admin 01 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

1 June 2026, Maungdaw

The Maungdaw District Chakma Ethnic Affairs Committee issued a statement on 31 May saying it is working to stabilize and resolve a military recruitment dispute that occurred in Thinbawhla Village near Taungpyo Letwe town in northern Maungdaw, Arakan State.

The statement said that United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) officials visited Thinbawhla Village on 23 May to explain the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP).

However, it alleged that villagers identified as U Aung Kyaw Sein, U Maung Tun Sein, U Myint Maung, U Sein Tun Kyaw, and Bala Zaw incited unrest and violence, forming a mob that cursed, insulted, and threatened officials with sticks and knives.

A resident of Thinbawhla Village, however, said the committee’s statement does not reflect the situation on the ground.

“They came to the village to look into the problems that occurred. At that time, they told us they would work to secure the releases as quickly as possible. Now, I don’t know what to make of this statement. One thing is for sure, I think it was issued under pressure,” the villager told DMG on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The statement also said that departments under the ULA and members of the Maungdaw District Chakma Ethnic Affairs Committee conducted a field visit to meet villagers, adding that the situation has returned to normal following efforts to stabilize it.

It further stated that unilateral and accusatory statements against the ULA/AA by diaspora Chakma organizations and monks who do not know the situation on the ground do not help resolve the issue and instead worsen tensions.

More than 10 villagers from Thinbawhla Village were injured in the incident, with five reportedly in critical condition.

Local residents also said that some of those detained by Arakan Army personnel have been transferred to a prison in Buthidaung Township.

“Those who were severely injured are receiving medical treatment at hospitals, while the other villagers have been sent to a prison in Buthidaung Township. If possible, I want all of them to be released as soon as possible,” the source added.

On 27 May, 12 Chakma organizations issued a joint statement calling for an investigation and action, alleging that ULA/AA personnel exceeded emergency regulations by forcibly conscripting minorities in Thinbawhla Village.

The statement alleged that Arakan Army personnel fired warning shots and beat villagers, leaving several residents injured, including pregnant women.

ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha told DMG that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding after a crowd attempted to incite unrest, leading to temporary detentions, and said officials have explained national defense responsibilities to the villagers.

He also said that under the National Defence Emergency Provision, all residents of Arakan State within the specified age range are required to attend military training and serve in the military.

The Maungdaw District Chakma Ethnic Affairs Committee urged all ethnic groups in Arakan State to cooperate with a sense of duty and accountability toward what it described as a revolutionary goal of rebuilding the country.

It also urged vigilance against groups it said were attempting to create ethnic and religious tensions in Arakan State.

Thinbawhla Village is located on the Maungdaw-Kyeinchaung-Taungpyo Letwe road and consists of 135 households.

In northern Maungdaw border villages near Bangladesh, including Taungpyo Letwe, Meetaik, Thinbawhla, Aungthayar, and Nanthartaung, armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, Rohingya Solidarity Organization, and Arakan Rohingya Army remain active, with reports of killings targeting local Arakanese and ethnic minority communities.