Bangladesh authorities have arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) operating in Rakhine State, along with 10 other members on March 16. According to reports from Bangladesh, the suspects are being investigated for illegal border crossing and criminal activities, and have been remanded for 10 days for further investigation.
Among those arrested are Mostak Ahmed, age 66, Salimullah, age 27, Asmatullah, age 24, Md Hasan, age 43, and Moniruzzaman, age 26. According to Bangladesh authorities, these individuals were holding secret meetings to plan serious criminal activities. The report states that ARSA has been involved in various criminal activities including murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and other criminal operations. The group has also been accused of opposing the repatriation process of Rohingya people to Myanmar.
ARSA’s activities intensified following the assassination of Rohingya rights activist Mohib Ullah on September 29, 2022. Mohib Ullah had been a supporter of Rohingya repatriation efforts. While ARSA leader Ataullah denied any involvement in the killing, the victim’s family members have alleged that the armed group was behind the assassination. The incident marked a significant escalation in tensions within the refugee community.
Furthermore, ARSA’s military chief Ataullah was named as a suspect, along with 65 others, in connection with the killing of a Bangladesh government DGFI officer, Rizwan Rushdee, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in November 2022. The recent arrests are considered a significant development for regional security, according to Bangladesh authorities. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the group’s activities and their connections to various criminal operations in the border region.
