Junta holds meeting with Muslim leaders in Maungdaw, persuades them to take up arms

During a recent meeting with Muslim leaders in Maungdaw, the junta forces stated that if they cooperate with the military regime, the junta will equip them with weapons, said a Muslim leader who was present on the occasion.

On 9 February, at number 5 border guard police battalion at  Myo Thu Gyi village under Maungdaw township, junta’s division commander Thurein Tun and district administrator Nay Oo organised  a meeting with the administrators and Mawlawi (Muslim religious scholars) from the locality.

"During the meeting, Thurein Tun persuaded us that we (Muslims) are suffering because of the Rakhine people and hence we must take up arms against them. If there is a battle near our village, the commander assured that the soldiers will not harm our villagers. Only the Rakhine villagers will be targeted, he said, adding that we should cooperate with the junta," said the Muslim leader.

The Muslim administrators and Mawlawi, who attended the meeting, said that they will consider the proposal if they were recognized as citizens of Myanmar. But many Muslims did not agree with the proposal.

"Some of our leaders insisted on recognizing us as genuine citizens. But most of them did not agree with the proposal to take up arms against the Rakhine people. But both Thurein Tun and Nay Oo persuaded them to do so," he claimed.

Reports coming from the junta forces also indicate that they are organising meetings with Muslim leaders in Buthidaung township too with the same intention.

Photo: This photo was taken in 2016 at a meeting between Muslim leaders and military officers in Maungdaw.