Arakan Army is hunting down terrorist organizations in Buthidaung township on  Myanmar-Bangladeshborder areas, said ULA/AA spokesperson UKhaing Thukha.

Speaking to Narinjara News, he added that those terrorists have been committing crimes likekidnapping, extortion, murdering in many localities and hence the AA is conducting the clean upoperation.

"In Buthidaung township,  our AA members are working together with help of  local residents toeliminate the criminal gangs and gangsters,who are involved with variuos crimes. We are blocking and searching the villages,  wherethese gangs are taking shelter. Other peopleneed not to worry about the operation,” he added.

Even though Khaing Thukha did not mention any outfit’s name, it’s often reported that the  ARSArebels are involved with criminal activitiesin Buthidaung Townshipsince the last month.

Many local residents, who are  associated with the AA, have been harassed and some even killed by ARSArebels.

Political observers believe that the provision of military training to ARSA rebels by the junta authority hasworsened the situation.

Starting from 22 September, the  AA members continue conducting the searching and cleaning up operationagainst ARSA rebels in 10 Muslim villagesunder Buthidaung township. Those villages namely  Yaung Nyo Daung, SeinNyin  Byar, Atwin Nget Thay,  U Hlafe, Say Owe Kya and Thein Daung are under the AA’s control.

ULA/AA is carefully monitoring the activities of the terror outfits in both Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

"We are also looking for individuals who have been supporting the terrorist group. But weassure that the local people need not to worry over the situation. We hope that they will cooperate with our members inthe operation,”  he added.

A Muslim elder from Sein Nyin  Byar village informed  NarinjaraNews that the villagers aresupporting the  AA initiative.

“The innocent villagers don't have to worry about it. Theycan go for works as they prefer,”he added.

On 9 September,  Marmat Rur Kur (a 60-year-old resident of Mi Kyung Kong Swe village under Buthidaungtownship) was abducted by ARSA rebelsfrom his residence in the night hours.

Next day, his body was recovered from Ma Ung Nama mountain, which is near to the village.

U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, observed that the relationship between  Muslims and Rakhinepeople should be monitored carefully. Thepeople should be cautious as the  ARSA  rebels are creatingtroubles with the religioussentiments among the Muslim residents, he added.