Rohingya militant outfit denies attacking Assam Rifles

Guwahati (Assam), 3 Aug 2018

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has denied media reports that its members attacked any Assam Rifles team and alleged that the reports were meant to “fuel hatred” against Rohingya refugees, especially in India.

In a press statement, the ARSA asserted that it had come forward only to “defend, salvage and protect” Rohingya community in Arakan with its best capacities as it had the legitimate right under international law to “defend ourselves in line with the principle of self-defence.”

The militant outfit clarified that its attacks so far were defensive and had been directed against the Myanmarese regime in accordance with international norms and principles until “legitimate human rights” were reinstated in Arakan province of Myanmar.

The ARSA further claimed that it had never carried out and nor would it ever carry out any military activity against any State or armed group except the Myanmarese forces. It also clarified that it would never carry out any military activity in the territories of any State except Arakan.

Stating that it respected sovereignty of all countries except Myanmar, the armed group alleged that the media reports were part of a deliberate ploy to portray ARSA as a terrorist organisation and a security threat to the region.