Bangladeshi authorities have arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) operating in Rakhine State, along with nine other members on March 16. The suspects are being investigated for illegal border crossing and criminal activities, according to Bangladeshi media reports. The authorities have obtained a 10-day remand to conduct their investigation into the arrested individuals.
Among those arrested are Mostak Ahmed, age 66, Salimullah, age 27, Asmatullah, age 24, Mohammed Hasan, age 43, and Moniruzzaman, age 26. According to the investigation findings by Bangladeshi authorities, the suspects had been conducting secret meetings and planning to carry out serious criminal activities. The authorities’ report indicates that ARSA has been involved in various criminal activities including murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and actively opposing the repatriation process of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
ARSA’s activities reportedly intensified after the assassination of Rohingya rights activist Mohib Ullah on September 29, 2022. Mohib Ullah was known for supporting the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. While his family members accused ARSA of being behind the assassination, ARSA leader Ataullah denied any involvement of the armed group in the killing. Additionally, Ataullah and 65 others were named as suspects in the killing of Rizwan Rushdee, a Bangladeshi DGFI officer, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in November 2022.
The arrests come amid growing concerns about ARSA’s activities in the border region and their alleged involvement in various criminal enterprises. The Bangladeshi authorities’ report highlights the group’s opposition to Rohingya repatriation efforts and their alleged role in destabilizing activities in the refugee camps. 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 region.
