Arakan Army Abducts Rohingya Teacher Maung Tun in Buthidaung

Arakan Now | 26 April 2025

On 24 April 2025, the Arakan Army (AA) abducted a 38-year-old Rohingya teacher named Maung Tun from Ward No. 5, also known as Ywar Htit Quarter, in Buthidaung Township.

He and his family were living in poor conditions in Ywar Htit Quarter. After the Arakan Army burned down downtown Buthidaung in mid-2024, many Rohingya lost their homes. But Ywar Htit Quarter was not burned and some families, including Maung Tun’s, continued to live there.

A relative of the teacher told Arakan Now, “I got the news that he was abducted yesterday by AA without any reason.”

“They were often called to meetings by the Arakan Army. Based on my observation, it’s possible he was not allowed to return after one of those meetings,” he added.

The relative also said, “No one knows why he was abducted. They were just living a simple life in great hardship. There is no crime they would do.”

The 38-year-old Myanmarsar (Burmese language) teacher is the son of U Hla Aung, a well-known Myanmarsar teacher in Buthidaung. Like his father, Maung Tun has taught Myanmarsar to thousands of Rohingya and Rakhine students in Buthidaung Township over the years.

His father, U Hla Aung, was also abducted by the Arakan Army in the past but was later released.