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, Md Hasan, age 43, and Moniruzzaman, age 26. According to Bangladeshi authorities, the suspects had been holding secret meetings to plan 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 following the assassination of Rohingya rights activist Mohib Ullah on September 29, 2022. Mohib Ullah had been a prominent supporter of Rohingya repatriation efforts. While ARSA’s leader Ataullah denied any involvement in Mohib Ullah’s death, the victim’s family members have accused the armed group of being behind the assassination. Additionally, Ataullah and 64 others were named as suspects in the killing of a Bangladeshi DGFI officer, Rizwan Rushdee, 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 group’s opposition to Rohingya repatriation efforts has been particularly noteworthy, as it contradicts the broader international efforts to safely return Rohingya refugees to their homeland. The Bangladeshi authorities’ investigation is expected to reveal more details about the group’s activities and their potential impact on regional security and the refugee situation.
