[🇧🇩-Land] ARSA----Friend or Foe?

[Saif]

Date of Event: Mar 19, 2025 Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/arsa-chief-10-others-held-placed-remand-3851896

ARSA chief, 10 others held, placed on remand
The armed Rohingya group leader is blamed for criminal activities in camps

Photo: Courtesy/Prothom Alo

Rab has arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, known as the commander-in-chief of the ARSA, and 10 others, conducting special drives in Narayanganj and Mymensingh.

Law enforcers yesterday produced Ataullah, 48, and six others before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court of Narayanganj, seeking 10-day remand in two separate cases: one for illegal entry and another for criminal activities.

After the hearing, the court granted 10-day remand for interrogation, five days in each case, said Kayum Khan, Narayanganj court police inspector.

The five other arrestees are identified as Mostak Ahmed, 66; Salimullah, 27; Asmatullah, 24; Md Hasan, 43; and Moniruzzaman, 26.

Rab also arrested three women and a child along with the six. The four were also shown arrested in the two cases and the court sent the arrestees to jail.

Based on intelligence, a team of Rab-11 conducted a drive at the Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj, and Natun Bazar area of Mymensingh on March 16 and arrested the ten, said AHM Sazzad Hossain, the commanding officer of Rab-11.

According to the first information report filed with Siddhirganj police station, the arrestees have gathered in the districts and have held secret meetings to conduct subversive activities and grievous crimes.

Rab seized Tk 21.39 lakh in cash, a knife, a sharp steel chain and four wristwatches from their possessions, said Shahinur Alam, the officer-in-charge of Siddhirganj Police Station.

Ataullah and the armed group ARSA came to light after the attacks on around 30 police and army posts in the early hours of August 25, 2017, triggering a ruthless military counter-attack that has driven around 740,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh.

After the prosecuted Rohingyas took shelter in the squalid camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf, ARSA members have been continuing their targeted killing missions in the camp directed by its commander.

Hundreds of Rohingyas were killed by ARSA members over the years after the exodus in 2017.

ARSA was found to be involved in criminal activities including murder, smuggling, abduction, trafficking and extortion in the camps.

Many activities of the militant group were against the Rohingya's repatriation process to Myanmar.

ARSA's activities came to discussion broadly after Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohib Ullah was killed at the Kutupalong camp.

Mohib Ullah, the chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, who advocated for repatriation, was shot dead on September 29, 2022.

Soon after the murder, Mohib's brother Habib Ullah claimed that ARSA, locally known as Al-Yakin, was behind the assassination.

Although ARSA leader Ataullah denied the armed group's involvement in the killing, a former high-ranking ARSA commander, however, informed that ARSA leaders had discussed the assassination of Mohib Ullah, according to a report of the rights group Fortify Rights, launched yesterday.

"Bangladesh should cooperate with the International Crimes Tribunal and hand Ataullah over to the court to be investigated and held accountable for international crimes," John Quinley, Director of Fortify Rights, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Ataullah is a scourge on the Rohingya community.

"He is responsible for overseeing widespread violations against civilians. Bangladesh did the right thing in arresting Ataullah. This is an important day for Rohingya refugees in Myanmar Bangladesh," he added.

Besides on November 23, 2022, the ARSA's commander-in-chief Ataullah was named as the prime accused along with 65 others in the case filed over the murder of a DGFI officer near the Tumbru border in Bandarban's Naikkhangchhari on November 14 of the year.

Bangladesh Air Force Squadron Leader Rizwan Rushdee, who was serving in DGFI, was killed and Rab official Sohel Barua was injured as drug smugglers opened fire during a clash near the Tumbru border.

Later, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a DGFI field officer in Cox's Bazar, filed the case with Naikkhangchhari Police Station.

[Our Narayanganj and Cox's Bazar Correspondent also contributed to this report]​

 

[Saif]

Take steps to address militant threats in Rohingya camps

ARSA chief’s arrest highlights security concerns surrounding refugees

www.thedailystar.net

Take steps to address militant threats in Rohingya camps
ARSA chief’s arrest highlights security concerns surrounding refugees

VISUAL: STAR

The recent arrest of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, commander-in-chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), along with 10 others, has once again highlighted the militant threats long plaguing the refugee camps in Bangladesh. On Tuesday, Ataullah and six others were placed on remand while the rest were sent to jail. Earlier, Rab made the arrests after conducting special drives in Narayanganj and Mymensingh. According to case filings cited by Prothom Alo, all the arrestees except one hailed from Myanmar's Rakhine State, likely arriving in Bangladesh sometime after the mass exodus of Rohingya in 2017. This development is significant given how militant groups like ARSA have terrorised the Rohingya camps for years, engaging in targeted killings, abductions, trafficking, extortion, and such crimes.

Ataullah and his group first gained prominence after they carried out an attack on Myanmar's border posts in Rakhine in October 2016, resulting in the deaths of several officers. They gained wider notice following their August 25, 2017 attacks on around 30 police and army posts that led to the ruthless military crackdown that drove around 740,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. Since then, ARSA has continued its activities within the refugee settlements. Hundreds of Rohingya are believed to have been killed by ARSA members. The group has also been accused of targeting Rohingya leaders advocating for repatriation, including the 2022 assassination of Mohib Ullah, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights. ARSA has also been linked to the killing of a DGFI officer near the Tumbru border, showing how militant threats within the camps spilled onto nearby territories, threatening our internal security.

For years, however, the Awami League government refused to acknowledge the activities of Rohingya militant groups. This not only provided cover for their operations but also created an environment of impunity that allowed them to expand their criminal networks. Even though ARSA appeared to have lost ground to its rival Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) since 2023, the relative security vacuum has led to an exponential rise in violence—with murders, abductions, and extortion skyrocketing between 2022 and 2024, according to a recent report by Fortify Rights.

Against this backdrop, the government must take stern action to dismantle these militant groups. While it is true that they may try to exploit the vulnerabilities caused by the recent cuts in WFP/US funding for Rohingya refugees—with fewer resources now available for them—there is no alternative to strengthening internal security measures. The government should launch a comprehensive crackdown on all armed groups operating within the camps. Moreover, it must ensure that captured militants face justice, whether through domestic legal proceedings or through international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court, as the director of Fortify Rights has recommended. While the wait for repatriation prolongs, we cannot sit back and delay action on these threats anymore.​

 

[Saif]

How ARSA members lived in busy Mymensingh locality

Rapid Action Battalion members arrested 10 members including the chief of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed group of Rohingyas, from Siddhirganj of Narayanganj and Mymensingh

en.prothomalo.com

How ARSA members lived in busy Mymensingh locality
Staff Correspondent
Mymensingh
Published: 19 Mar 2025, 16: 55

ARSA members arrested from this 15-storey building in Mymensingh. Prothom Alo

Rapid Action Battalion members have arrested 10 members including the chief of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed group of Rohingyas, from Siddhirganj of Narayanganj and Mymensingh.

Of them, four were arrested from a building located at the busiest area of Mymensingh town, Natun Bazar intersection.

Prothom Alo talked to other residents of the 15-storey building about how the ARSA members rented a flat there and how their lifestyle was.

Local people said the RAB members conducted a raid at the Garden City building from around 1:00 am to 2:45 am Monday. Two women, and two men were arrested from a flat on the 9th floor there. A child was also with them.

A certain Mazharul Islam is the owner of the building. He lives at Palash in Narsingdi. The building’s security Nizam Uddin rented out the flat to the ARSA members.

Speaking about this after the arrest of the ARSA members, he said two persons, identifying them from Tarundia union in Ishwarganj, wanted to rent the flat watching a to-let notice four months ago. One of them said his name is Maniruzzaman.

The security guard is also from Ishwarganj.

He further said that believing the two, he helped them communicate with the building owner and rented out the flat at Tk 20,000 per month.

The security guard said he asked for copies of their NIDs but they were dilly-dallying. Later Maniruzzaman gave him a photocopy of an NID which showed his home was Char Algi in Uchakhila Union, and father’s name was Md Atikul Islam.

Another security guard Rafiqul Islam said though two men were arrested from the flat, they saw only one of them earlier. They knew that man used to sell sea fishes from Chattogram to a local market.

Though they initially said that they were from Tarundia, he did not bother with that.

Security guard Nizam Uddin said the two identified them as two brothers at that time and their father works at a madrasah in Gazipur. They also said that their parents will live at the flat. An elderly person used to live in that flat. He used to move slowly when he would come down.

According to Nizam Uddin, he never went inside the flat as the women used to maintain purdah. The residents of the flat did not generally go out much. Only “Maniruzzaman” used to buy groceries. This was how they lived for the last four months.

Rafiqul Islam, another security guard at the building, said often a 14-15-year-old boy, whom Maniruzzaman called his nephew, used to come with him to the flat.

When he was shown photos of the arrested four people, he said Maniruzzaman was not there.

When he was shown the photograph of ARSA chief Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, both the security guards claimed that they did not see him coming to the building.

Security guard Rafiqul Islam said though two men were arrested from the flat, they saw only one of them earlier. They knew that man used to sell sea fishes from Chattogram to a local market.

The two guards also said that they knew the person who identified him as Maniruzzaman. Neither he nor the young adult whom he called his nephew and his “father” were among the arrested persons.

Anisur Razzaq Bhuiyan, a resident from 10th floor of the building told Prothom Alo the residents of that flat did not talk or had any kind of communications with other residents of the building. They did not even open their flat’s gate.

2 cases in Mymensingh

RAB-11 nayek subedar Harun ar Rashid filed two cases against 10 people at Kotwali Model police station around 10:00 pm on Tuesday, under the acts of anti-terrorism and illegal border crossing.

The accused are - Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, 48, Mostak Ahmed, 66, Maniruzzaman, 24, Salimullah, 27, and his wife Mst Asmaul Husna, 23, Asmat Ullah, 24, Md Hasan, 43, Most Shahina, 22 and a 15-year-old young adult and a 17-year-old girl.

Police said three of the four arrested from Mymensingh are siblings. They are Asmat Ullah, Shahina Akter and the 17-year-old girl.

Though they are residents of Kaunia Beel area of Arakan state in Myanmar, they used to live in Thyangkali Rohingya camp. Another arrested is Md Hasan, who is originally from Khunkun area of Arakan state and used to live at Kutupalong Rohingya camp.

The case statement said that the law enforcement seized Tk 3 million in cash, 12 bhoris gold jewellery, foreign currency, 15 nameplates of ARSA Army, and some military equipment from their possession.

Mymensingh Kotwali Model police station officer-in-charge Md Shafiqul Islam said two separate lawsuits have been lodged against 10 on charges of anti-state activities. Police will seek 10-day remand for each of them in the cases.​

 

[Saif]

ARSA poses security threat

The statements of the four accused in the murder of Rohingya leader Mohibullah revealed that he was not killed only because of the internal conflict of the Rohingya refugee camp, extortion or drug trafficking

en.prothomalo.com

Mohibullah murder
ARSA poses security threat
Editorial Desk
Published: 16 Mar 2022, 21: 13

The statements of the four accused in the murder of Rohingya leader Mohibullah revealed that he was not killed only because of the internal conflict of the Rohingya refugee camp, extortion or drug trafficking. Rumors have been circulating since the assassinated of Mohibullah on 27 September last year that the Arakan Salvation Army (ARSA), a Rohingya militant group in Myanmar, was behind it.

The four accused who testified in the Cox's Bazar chief judicial magistrate's court are Azizul Haque, Hamid Hossain, Nazimuddin and Md Elias. They claimed to be ARSA members and the killing was carried out by the order of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the group's leader.

The government has been saying at different times that there is no movement of ARSA in Bangladesh. But the killing of Mohibullah somehow proved that they are active in Bangladesh and they are capable of unleashing danger. The organisation like ARSA is dangerous not only for Rohingya but also for the national security of Bangladesh.

According to the statements of the accused, 25 members of ARSA took part in Mohibullah's murder. They even managed to escape after committing the murder. It is understood that their activities in Bangladesh are strong. There are allegations that ARSA was also involved in the murder of Rohingya leader Arifullah in Balukhali-2 camp in Ukhia in June 2018.

Mohibullah, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), was vocal about the return of Rohingya refugees. He also took a strong stand against drug smuggling in the refugee camps. ARSPH chief also played a role in holding rallies inside the country and shaping public opinion abroad on the return of Rohingya refugees.

There is no doubt that the faction of the Rohingyas, which do not want to return to the country and is interested in running drug businesses from here, has killed Mohibullah. Police arrested Shah Ali, brother of ARSA chief, with weapons and drugs. In addition to drugs, illegal weapons are now a major problem in Rohingya refugee camps.

Bangladesh sheltered Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds as they were forced to flee the country after being subjected to extreme persecution by the country's military in Arakan state, Myanmar. Even before the influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh in August 2017, Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh after being subjected to various tortures.

In all, Bangladesh has to take the pressure of about 1.2 million Rohingyas. Due to the Rohingya camps, Bangladesh is facing various social, economic and environmental problems. Now, if there is violence or armed activity centering these camps, it will pose a threat to our national security.

We think that the issue of ARSA's activities around the Rohingya camp should be taken seriously. The murder of Rohingya leader Mohibullah has also raised questions about the security situation in the camps at the international level.

The government needs to be more vigilant in strengthening the security t the refugee camps. The government must take stern actions so that ARSA or any such organisation cannot operate here. At the same time, efforts should be made to repatriate Rohingyas safely.​

 

[Saif]

Take steps to address militant threats in Rohingya camps

ARSA chief’s arrest highlights security concerns surrounding refugees

www.thedailystar.net

Take steps to address militant threats in Rohingya camps
ARSA chief’s arrest highlights security concerns surrounding refugees

VISUAL: STAR

The recent arrest of Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, commander-in-chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), along with 10 others, has once again highlighted the militant threats long plaguing the refugee camps in Bangladesh. On Tuesday, Ataullah and six others were placed on remand while the rest were sent to jail. Earlier, Rab made the arrests after conducting special drives in Narayanganj and Mymensingh. According to case filings cited by Prothom Alo, all the arrestees except one hailed from Myanmar's Rakhine State, likely arriving in Bangladesh sometime after the mass exodus of Rohingya in 2017. This development is significant given how militant groups like ARSA have terrorised the Rohingya camps for years, engaging in targeted killings, abductions, trafficking, extortion, and such crimes.

Ataullah and his group first gained prominence after they carried out an attack on Myanmar's border posts in Rakhine in October 2016, resulting in the deaths of several officers. They gained wider notice following their August 25, 2017 attacks on around 30 police and army posts that led to the ruthless military crackdown that drove around 740,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. Since then, ARSA has continued its activities within the refugee settlements. Hundreds of Rohingya are believed to have been killed by ARSA members. The group has also been accused of targeting Rohingya leaders advocating for repatriation, including the 2022 assassination of Mohib Ullah, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights. ARSA has also been linked to the killing of a DGFI officer near the Tumbru border, showing how militant threats within the camps spilled onto nearby territories, threatening our internal security.

For years, however, the Awami League government refused to acknowledge the activities of Rohingya militant groups. This not only provided cover for their operations but also created an environment of impunity that allowed them to expand their criminal networks. Even though ARSA appeared to have lost ground to its rival Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) since 2023, the relative security vacuum has led to an exponential rise in violence—with murders, abductions, and extortion skyrocketing between 2022 and 2024, according to a recent report by Fortify Rights.

Against this backdrop, the government must take stern action to dismantle these militant groups. While it is true that they may try to exploit the vulnerabilities caused by the recent cuts in WFP/US funding for Rohingya refugees—with fewer resources now available for them—there is no alternative to strengthening internal security measures. The government should launch a comprehensive crackdown on all armed groups operating within the camps. Moreover, it must ensure that captured militants face justice, whether through domestic legal proceedings or through international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court, as the director of Fortify Rights has recommended. While the wait for repatriation prolongs, we cannot sit back and delay action on these threats anymore.​

 

[Saif]

ARSA chief Ataullah denied bail in Bandarban; sent to jail

A Bandarban court on Monday sent Myanmar’s Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) chief Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi to jail after rejecting his bail petition in two separate cases filed over the death of a member of DGFI. Bandarban Additional District and Sessions Judge Arun Pal and Senior Judi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ARSA chief Ataullah denied bail in Bandarban; sent to jail
FE Online Desk
Published :
Apr 07, 2025 15:39
Updated :
Apr 07, 2025 15:39

A Bandarban court on Monday sent Myanmar’s Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) chief Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi to jail after rejecting his bail petition in two separate cases filed over the death of a member of DGFI.

Bandarban Additional District and Sessions Judge Arun Pal and Senior Judicial Magistrate of Bandarban Cognisance court passed the order after hearing two separate petitions, UNB reports.

The court also rejected his bail petition in the two cases.

Earlier, the ARSA chief was taken to the Bandarban court from Chattogram court amid tight security.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested ten people, including Ataullah, while holding a clandestine meeting in Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj district on March 19.

He was an accused in different cases, including that of the murder of a DGFI member.​