After the Arakan Army (AA) took control of Maungdaw Township, the international community and the Arakanese people pointed out the need to rebuild trust among local civilians.
In particular, during the battles in Maungdaw, armed Rohingya terrorist groups committed abductions, killings, and hostage-taking of civilians. As a result, there is still a lack of mutual trust among the local population, according to residents.
Therefore, the international community and the Arakanese people believe that it is necessary to rebuild trust for social harmony, led by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
“A functioning administrative system requires the trust and acceptance of all people. If Muslims do not trust the Rakhine people, it will be problematic, and likewise, if the Rakhine people do not trust Muslims, it will be difficult for both to coexist peacefully,” a foreign diplomat told Border News Agency.
In the territories controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government is establishing an administrative system and ensuring the safety and security of the Arakanese people. Additionally, it is assisting in reconstruction efforts, according to local residents.
However, some Rakhine people say that it is still difficult to trust the Muslim community because, during the fighting in Maungdaw, armed individuals claiming to be Rohingya committed unlawful abductions and killings of civilians.
“If we have to live with Muslims, how can we, as Rakhine people, stay? Being too close to them is a problem. Isn’t this issue happening because of what Muslims did? If we are forced to live close to them, we will not stay. If AA soldiers are stationed near us, we will stay. Otherwise, we will leave for a safer place,” said a woman whose five family members were abducted by armed Rohingya terrorists, speaking to Border News Agency.
During the battles for the capture of Maungdaw town, the armed terrorist groups such as ARSA, RSO, ARA, and junta-trained armed Muslim fighters, along with Myanmar junta troops, committed various acts of violence, including the unlawful abduction of civilians, according to Arakanese residents.
Additionally, during the battles for the capture of Buthidaung town, acts of arson targeting residential homes and unlawful abductions and killings of civilians were also committed by those armed terrorists, according to Arakanese residents.
Similarly, the Arakan Army has also been accused by the so-called Rohingya activists and the international community of committing acts of violence, including the unlawful abduction and killing of Muslims, as well as burning and destroying homes.
As a result, Muslims has expressed difficulty in trusting and accepting the administrative system of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, and they continue to have concerns and apprehensions, according to Muslims.
The entire Maungdaw Township was fully captured and controlled by the Arakan Army on December 8 of last year, and similarly, Buthidaung Township was also completely captured and controlled on May 18 of this year.
In the Maungdaw region, all civilians had to flee due to the war, and many, including the Rakhine people, were killed, injured, or arrested. The continued violent attacks by armed Rohingya terrorists have made it difficult for the local community to live peacefully together in mutual trust, according to Arakanese residents.
Due to the battles in Maungdaw, nearly one hundred thousand Muslims fled to Bangladesh for refuge, while almost two hundred Rakhine people, including Mro, Thet, and Dainet communities, also sought shelter in Bangladesh, according to Bangladeshi officials and the international community.
