ARSA commander among 2 held in Ukhiya

Law enforcement authorities have arrested a commander of the armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and his associate from a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox’s Bazar.

The arrests were sued in cases involving arms and murder.

The arrested individuals have been identified as ARSA commander Mohammad Alam alias Musa, 40, and his associate Abdul Hafez, 22. They were arrested during a raid in the area of Rohingya Camp No. 6 in Ukhiya at around 9pm on Wednesday.

Mohammad Siraj Amin, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and commander of the 14 Armed Police Battalion (APBn), confirmed the arrests.

The APBn commander said the two were arrested during an operation based on confidential information. During preliminary questioning, they admitted to being active members of ARSA, he said.

According to APBn sources, Mohammad Alam alias Musa is Accused No. 29 in the charge sheet of a murder case filed with Ukhiya Police Station. Several other cases have also been filed against him, including charges related to murder, drugs and illegal arms.

Law enforcement authorities said legal proceedings against the two arrested individuals are underway.