Residents feeling nervous after a string of suspected arson attacks on Rohingya villages around Maungdaw are keeping close watch on any strangers seen in their areas.
Villagers of La Baw Zarr (Bawshu Para) recently apprehended one man after he and another were spotted trying to enter the town at sunset, said Kalu.
At the time they tried to enter the village most of the adults were out working. The men were spotted by boys who informed elders. By the time villagers were rounded up one of the men had escaped, Kalu said.
The village administration officer closed the village, sending news to the border security police. Police told villagers that the suspect was not part of their security force, but little else, Kalu said.
When the man was sent to the army outpost in in Myoma Kayoungdan village, it was discovered he was a soldier. Villagers claim the man who is Rakhine wanted to set fire to their homes. They say he and the one that escaped were scouting the area to stage an attack.
