Maungdaw, Arakan State | April 1, 2026 , Two civilians were found dead in northern Maungdaw Township after reportedly being abducted and beheaded in Tha Yet Oek Village, raising serious concerns over civilian safety in the region.
“Villagers in northern Maungdaw live under growing fear due to security incidents.”
Local residents identified the victims as Dowla Ya (also known as Enus), 21, and Muhammad Sawlam, 22, who were working as tenants at a fishpond shelter owned by a local resident in Thayetoke Village.
According to multiple residents, the two men were detained on the evening of March 27 by members of the Arakan Army (AA). They were reportedly held for four days before being beheaded. Their bodies were later discovered buried in a shallow pit near a pond close to Thu U Lar Village.
“The fishpond near Thayetoke Village where the victims worked as tenants.”
“They were taken at night, and after that, no one heard from them again,” said one resident from Tha Yet Oek Village, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.“We were not allowed to move freely during those days.”
Residents from Tha Yet Oek, Thu U Lar, and Da Gyi Zar villages reported that movement restrictions were imposed during the period the victims were missing. Access to the area was restored on the morning the bodies were discovered.
