Arakan News Agency

Security forces arrested two Rohingya Muslims from Kawar Bil in Maungdaw and reportedly subjected them to brutal torture and beatings.

The victims were woodcutters, as they were returning from the nearby hills after collecting firewood when the security forces stopped them. On searching they found the sharp weapons that are used for cutting wood. But the security forces claimed they must have been using these sharp weapons to attack security forces.

Relatives of the arrested men informed that they were fully aware that going to the woods might result in arrest and torture as security forces are vigilant to deny Muslims access to livelihood in what is regarded as a systematic effort to starve out the population. However, the men could not stand the hunger of their younger family members, and they say many Rohingyas in the area, especially the children are in critical health after not eating for days.