The Asiapost News

In a disturbing escalation of events in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts, reports have emerged of armed members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) openly patrolling within Bangladeshi territory. The sightings, reported in Dochhari Union of Naikhongchhari Upazila, Bandarban District, follow closely on the heels of the abduction of Akiu Marma, a young indigenous girl, reportedly by Myanmar’s military in the same region. A local correspondent has confirmed the presence of ARSA militants, intensifying fears among residents.

On 1 May, coinciding with International Labour Day, at least five images began circulating on social media, depicting heavily armed ARSA members moving freely in Dochhari Union. The visuals have sparked widespread panic among locals and drawn alarm from citizens across Bangladesh, who view the incursion as a grave breach of national sovereignty. Residents have reported the incident to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Bangladesh Army, but as of this report, no visible action has been taken, nor have authorities issued any statements. The silence of local officials and the conspicuous absence of coverage by Bangladeshi media have further fueled public unease.

The incident comes amid growing controversy surrounding a decision by Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, to establish a so-called “humanitarian corridor” to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, as proposed by the United Nations. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, designated as the corridor’s entry point, is home to indigenous communities that have lived there for centuries. Yunus’s unilateral decision has drawn sharp criticism from major political parties, including the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party, and Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB). Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, condemned the move in a speech at a public meeting on Labour Day. Civil society and Bangladesh’s educated populace have echoed these concerns, warning of the potential for regional instability.

The reported presence of ARSA, a Rohingya insurgent group active in northern Rakhine State, has heightened fears of a broader security crisis. ARSA, led by Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, has been implicated in violent incidents, including attacks on Myanmar security forces and civilian communities, and is designated a terrorist organization by Myanmar’s government. Social media posts on X have amplified concerns, with users alleging that ARSA militants are operating openly in Naikhongchhari’s Lemuchhari and Dochhari areas, describing it as a direct threat to national security.

The confluence of these events—ARSA’s incursion, the abduction of Akiu Marma, and the controversial humanitarian corridor—has deepened anxieties in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Analysts warn that unchecked developments in this sensitive border region could exacerbate tensions, both domestically and with neighboring Myanmar, potentially destabilizing an already volatile area. Immediate action and transparent communication from authorities are urgently needed to address the growing unrest and restore confidence among the affected communities.