Armed men seize Rohingya family’s cattle in western Myanmar
Residents say armed Rakhine men threatened Rohingya children before taking livestock that many families depend on for farming and survival in conflict-hit Maungdaw Township
NAYPYIDAW, , Myanmar (MNTV) — Armed Rakhine men allegedly seized two cattle belonging to Rohingya families in western Myanmar’s Maungdaw Township after threatening children who were tending the animals, in an incident that residents say has deepened fears among an already vulnerable community.
The incident took place on July 13 near the former village of Kyaing Ta Pin, also known as Dora Bil, where Rohingya families from several nearby villages have traditionally grazed their livestock during the day, according to Rohingya Khobor.
Residents said several men from Pyar Tha village, under the Nwar Rone Taung village tract, entered the grazing fields carrying sticks and knives before taking one bull and one cow belonging to Rohingya families.
“When we tried to stop them and asked them to return our cattle, they threatened us with sticks and knives. We were too afraid to do anything,” one cattle owner told the outlet.
Witnesses said several Rohingya children who had been watching the animals pleaded with the men not to take the cattle but were threatened and forced to flee.
“The children came back crying. They told us armed men had taken our cattle. By the time we reached the field, they were already gone,” another resident said.
Community members said they decided not to confront the armed group because they feared the situation could quickly escalate into violence.
The stolen livestock belonged to families from Pon Zar, Hla Bo Zar, Kyaing Taw, Kyauk Hlaik Daung and Mingalar Gyi villages, whose residents routinely take their cattle to the grazing fields each morning and return home before nightfall.
For many Rohingya households, cattle represent one of the few remaining assets after years of displacement, conflict and severe restrictions on movement and livelihoods in Rakhine State.
“For us, cattle are not just animals. They are our savings, our livelihood and our family’s future. Losing them is a heavy burden,” another resident said.
Residents said the loss is particularly devastating because many Rohingya families rely on livestock for farming, household income and food while continuing to face acute humanitarian hardship. They also expressed concern that the incident could discourage families from using traditional grazing areas, further threatening already fragile livelihoods in northern Rakhine State.
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