Rakhine residents express outrage after suspect in child rape case escapes AA custody

Residents of Pauktaw Township in Rakhine State are calling for accountability after a man accused of raping an eight-year-old girl two months ago escaped from custody while being held by Arakan Army (AA) law enforcement officers. The suspect, identified by local sources as Tun Aung Chay, about 30, was apprehended by residents of the village of Thit Poke Chaung in Pauktaw on March 3. He was accused of assaulting a young girl from Phadu Chay, a nearby village, earlier that day. Community members handed the suspect over to the AA’s Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) the following day. A relative of the victim said authorities at the Pauktaw DLEPS station reported that the man escaped at around 2am while a staff member on duty was away from his post. The relative alleged negligence by officials, saying authorities should be held responsible until the suspect is recaptured. “We want them to find the suspect as quickly as possible,” the family member said. “Until then, those in charge should face consequences as an example.” The case has also drawn criticism from residents of other areas under AA control. “The DLEPS is responsible for this. It is a case of staff negligence. Therefore, those responsible should be punished effectively,” said a 35-year-old woman from neighbouring Myebon Township. Local accounts cited conflicting explanations from officials, including claims that the suspect fled while being taken to a restroom. Authorities also said that the suspect had not been formally under arrest at the time of his escape, because no warrant had been issued. Despite this, the relative said that the DLEPS acknowledged responsibility for the detainee after accepting custody. The victim is reported to be recovering physically, though family members expressed concern about possible psychological trauma. Myanmar Now reached out to AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha for comment on the incident, but did not receive a response. The case comes amid ongoing instability in Rakhine State, where the AA has established its own administrative system in areas that it has seized since launching an offensive against Myanmar’s military in late 2023. The group currently controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chin State. Under Myanmar’s Penal Code, rape of a child under the age of 12 carries a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment or a minimum of 20 years. Attempted rape is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Authorities have urged communities to report suspicious activity, protect children and cooperate in preventing sexual violence.

Rakhine residents express outrage after suspect in child rape case escapes AA custody

The incident comes as the group works to establish its own administrative system in areas seized from Myanmar’s military

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