Crimes rise in AA-held territories

By Admin 21 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

21 July 2025, Minbya

Crimes such as theft, looting, robbery, and murder have reportedly been on the rise in areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

U Kyaw Soe Tun, a 36-year-old man from Ngapugwa Village, Minbya Township, was hacked to death by U Mel Lone, a resident of the same village, while he was sleeping at home in the afternoon on July 18.

The Arakan Army's Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) has reportedly arrested the perpetrator.

On July 3, a woman was pickpocketed at Myoma Market in Kyauktaw and the thief made off with two ticals of gold and K600,000, according to a woman aware of the incident.

"While she was shopping in the market, a pickpocket slashed her bag with a knife and stole it. The victim didn't notice and had everything taken," the woman said.

In the first week of July, the home of Kyaw Thet Hlaing, a rice mill owner in Kunohnchaung Village, Kyauktaw Township, was robbed, and 10 ticals of jewelry and some cash were taken, according to locals. The unknown perpetrator is reportedly still at large.

There are reports that the current wave of theft and looting in Arakan State is due to the current unemployment situation, rising commodity prices, and food shortages.

"The current situation is compounded by the lack of job opportunities, the military regime's blockades, the cutbacks in funding for social organisations, and the rising cost of living, which have made it even more difficult for internally displaced people, who are already underserved. The increase in theft and looting is partly due to the fact that people are struggling to find a source of income and livelihood," said a youth in Kyauktaw.

U Maung Thein Naing, a 35-year-old administrator from Letma Village, Minbya Township, was killed by unknown assailants while he was at a tea shop in the village on February 1.

The local administrator's murder was investigated by DLEPS, but it is not known whether the perpetrators were arrested or prosecuted.

As violence continues to escalate in Arakan State, there are growing concerns about security among locals.

"Given the current situation, as it is a revolutionary period and a period of reconstruction, there may be weaknesses in the rule of law," said a local woman in Minbya. "However, as these crimes are gradually increasing, I would like the Arakkha people's government, which is responsible for the safety of the people, to take stricter measures."

The Arakan Army, which has seized most of the townships in Arakan State, has established the Arakkha people's government with administrative mechanisms and functions including law and enforcement and judicial apparatuses. There have been criticisms that the Arakan Army still has many weaknesses in its handling of the rule of law and the judiciary.