According to reports from Bangladesh, authorities have arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) operating in Rakhine State, along with 9 other members on March 16. The suspects are being investigated for illegal border crossing and criminal activities, with the court granting a 10-day remand 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’ investigation reports, the suspects were holding secret meetings to plan serious criminal activities. The ARSA group has been implicated 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 the victim’s family members accused ARSA of being behind the assassination, ARSA leader Ataullah denied any involvement in the killing. Additionally, Ataullah and 64 others were named as suspects in the killing of Rizwan Rushdee, a Bangladesh army DGFI officer, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in November 2022.
The Bangladesh authorities’ report indicates that the arrested individuals were involved in organizing clandestine meetings to plan serious criminal activities. The ARSA group has been accused of various criminal activities including murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and actively working to obstruct the Rohingya repatriation process to Myanmar. The arrest of these individuals marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address security concerns in the border region and the broader issues surrounding the Rohingya refugee crisis.
