ARSA denies Amnesty report on Hindu massacre

Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) on Friday categorically denied what it says “unjustifiable and careless serious criminal accusations” made by the Amnesty International.

In a statement it said it is appalling to learn the recent report titled “New evidence reveals armed group massacred scores in Rakhine State” released by the Amnesty International as the report consists of serious criminal accusations against ARSA, reports UNB.

“We categorically deny all of these unjustifiable and careless serious criminal accusations mentioned in the report,” it said.

ARSA, however, expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the Amnesty International for its tremendous efforts in advocating human rights across the world.

The AI in a report on Tuesday claimed that a Rohingya armed group brandishing guns and swords is responsible for at least one, and potentially a second, massacre of up to 99 Hindu women, men, and children as well as additional unlawful killings and abductions of Hindu villagers in August 2017.

ARSA said it is illogical and unreasonable for any Rohingya to commit any crime against a Hindu who is not killing or attacking Rohingyas.

It said they are ready, at all time, to cooperate with a credible international investigation mission or agency which has the full mandate to investigate as to whether these alleged crimes are done by ARSA.

It said the “Burmese Terrorist Government” must allow the international investigation mission unconditional access to all the affected areas in Arakan State to conduct a detailed and systematic investigation if it is confident that its “terrorist Army” did not commit any of these crimes.