Border News Agency
Ponnagyun, October 3

A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 17-year-old uncle in Phetkhwetseik Village, Ponnagyun Township, an area under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), according to local residents.

The incident reportedly happened at around 1:00 p.m. on September 30. The girl was alone at home when her 17-year-old uncle, identified as Naing Soe Lin, allegedly took her to his house and raped her.

According to family members, the incident happened while the girl’s parents had gone into the forest to collect firewood and Naing Soe Lin’s mother had gone to sell goods at the market.

The girl’s mother told Border News Agency:
“My husband and I left home after eating lunch to collect firewood. His mother had also gone to sell things at the market. We only learned about the incident after my younger daughter saw what was happening and told us.”

Family members said that the victim’s seven-year-old younger sister witnessed the incident when she returned home with her friends after playing outside.

The younger sister said:
“When I came home after playing with my friends, I saw my sister being raped.”

According to the report, Naing Soe Lin has been arrested and detained at a relevant local station.

There are growing concerns about the safety and security of women and children in the Arakan region. Families are particularly worried because cases of sexual violence against women, including sexual abuse of children, have reportedly occurred repeatedly.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) has stated that special courts have been established to take effective legal action against cases of child sexual abuse in the Arakan region.

According to the activities of the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security, serious crimes, including child sexual abuse and murder, have been handled by special courts since August. The department reportedly said that severe sentences ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment have been imposed on those convicted of such serious crimes.