RAB drives against ARSA ‘criminals’ continue

UNB/ The financial Express, 17 May 2024

RAB’s intelligence-based drive against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is continuing and operations are being launched as soon as any information is received.

Commander Arafat Islam, director (legal and media wing), said this in a press conference at Karwan Bazar Media Centre on Friday.

He said ARSA members are involved in various criminal activities, including murder and kidnapping in Rohingya camps.

“We conducted several operations and arrested 110 ARSA members and recovered a huge amount of explosives and weapons from their possessions,” he informed.

Besides, on Thursday, RAB busted a ‘den of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army’ near Ukhiya Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar district and arrested two suspected Rohingya criminals.

They were identified as Master Salimullah, 38, chief coordinator and commander of ARSA, and his associate, Md Riaz, 27. Both of them are Rohingya citizens.

Arafat said they are in close contact with the local police station and related groups to thwart ARSA’s activities.

“We are tracking them, and our intelligence activities against them are continuing,” he added.