6-year-old girl raped in Maungdaw; suspect arrested

By Admin 21 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

21 January 2026, Maungdaw

A 6-year-old girl from Aung Thukha Village in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, was reportedly raped by a 50-year-old man.

According to villagers, the incident occurred on January 17 at around 1:00 PM. While the child was playing at her home, a neighbor identified as 50-year-old U Hla Than allegedly lured her to his house and committed the assault while no one else was present.

"The victim's mother had gone to the plantation after lunch. The neighbor, U Hla Than, took the child to his house and raped her while it was empty," said a woman from Aung Thukha Village.

The incident came to light when the mother returned from the fields and noticed the child’s unusual behavior and condition. Upon questioning, the girl revealed what had happened.

The suspect, U Hla Than, was arrested on January 18 and is currently being interrogated by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS).

"The perpetrator is now in the custody of DLEPS. We understand a case has been filed at the police station, but we don't know the further details yet," a villager stated.

The suspect's family had relocated from Yan Aung Pyin Village in Rathedaung Township to settle as farmers in the area last year. Similarly, the victim's family also moved there from Lone Tin Village in Rathedaung.

The Arakan Army (AA), which currently controls 14 townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State, has been establishing its own administration and judiciary.

Residents are calling for swift legal action against perpetrators of sexual violence within AA-controlled territories.

A woman from a civil society organization commented, "This is a clear case of statutory rape. The Arakan Army’s judicial department must conduct a thorough investigation and deliver a fitting punishment to ensure justice for the family."

Similar incidents have been reported recently in the region. In May 2025, a 9-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Phar Phyo Village, Minbya Township.

In November 2025, a 16-year-old girl in Dalekkai Village, Paletwa Township, was also sexually assaulted. Additionally, in July, a Buddhist monk was arrested by DLEPS for raping a 9-year-old Grade-4 student in Hin Kharaw Village, Pauktaw Township.

The public continues to urge the Arakan Army's judicial wing to expedite justice for victims of rape and sexual violence across Arakan State.