Residents and officials have raised alarm after Myanmar’s armed group, the Arakan Army, reportedly ordered Rohingya communities in Maungdaw Township of Rakhine State to dismantle boundary fences around their properties by April 10 sparking fears of a new wave of forced displacement.

According to local sources, the directive has been issued across at least 15 Rohingya villages in Maungdaw, a region already scarred by years of violence and persecution. Community members say the move appears to be a precursor to planned evictions, deepening anxiety among families who have faced repeated cycles of displacement.

A report by Bangladesh’s Special Branch of Police warns that the order could trigger another influx of Rohingya into Bangladesh, as affected residents may attempt to cross the border to escape insecurity. The report recommends intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and manage potential cross-border movement.

Officials from the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) office, along with local sources, confirm that Rohingya arrivals into Bangladesh have already increased recently. More than 1,000 individuals have reportedly entered the country over the past 12 days, many seeking refuge with relatives in camps in Cox’s Bazar.

The renewed tensions come amid ongoing conflict in Rakhine State, which has driven more than 150,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh over the past year and a half. Bangladesh was already hosting around 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world.

Analysts warn that any further influx could significantly strain humanitarian resources and complicate efforts toward repatriation and regional stability.

BOB Post