8th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony Held for 113 Hindu Community Members Massacred in Maungdaw

News

Global Arakan Network August 26, 2025

The 8th Memorial Event in Maungdaw (photocrd)

A memorial ceremony marking the 8th anniversary of the massacre of 113 Hindu community members by the Islamic militant terrorist group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) was held in Maungdaw Township on August 25, according to reports.

The memorial event was held near a commemorative monument erected for the Hindu victims of the terrorist massacre, as stated by U Chit Aye Maung, the Hindu Religious Affairs Administrator of Maungdaw Township.

“Today marks the 8th anniversary of the massacre of our Hindu community members. This ceremony is organized and led by our Hindu Religious Affairs Committee. The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has granted permission, provided necessary support, and ensured security for the event. We, the Hindu community, are deeply grateful and overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray for the salvation of our lost family members and to perform religious rituals for their peace. This day will forever remain in the memory of our entire Hindu community,”

he told the local media.

He further added, “According to Hindu religious customs, we have always wanted to hold prayer ceremonies, but under successive Military Council regimes, we were never granted permission for such events. It was only under the Arakan People’s Government that we were able to hold this event.”

Hindus Community in Maungdaw (photocrd)

Marina, who lost all seven members of her family in the brutal and inhumane massacre by the ARSA terrorist group, said,

“It’s been eight years since their deaths. The pain of losing my entire family in such a brutal massacre still deeply affects me. It will always remain in my memory. In the past, we couldn’t hold such prayer ceremonies. This time, with the permission and support of the Arakan People’s Government, I was able to attend this memorial and prayer ceremony for Hindu families.”

The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 people, including family members of the 113 Hindu victims, members of the Hindu Religious Affairs Committee, local administrative officials, and representatives from the ULA/AA.

At the event, the Hindu Religious Affairs Administrator of Maungdaw Township and local administrative officials delivered speeches, and gifts were presented to the Hindu religious leaders, surviving family members of the victims, and committee members by the local authorities.

Attendees were visibly emotional, with many shedding tears and crying in grief as they recalled the brutal massacre of their family members and the haunting images of the event. The deep sorrow and lingering trauma were evident on their faces.

“There’s a profound fear that extremist terrorists and religious radicals might oppress us again, and the threat continues to loom. We feel insecure in our hearts. Even for this prayer ceremony, some people suspected that ARSA might infiltrate and attack. But thanks to the local security forces who provided full protection and transportation, this prayer ceremony could take place,”

said another member of the Hindu Religious Affairs Committee.

Family Members in Front of Ungraved Victims (photocrd)

A local administrative official who attended the ceremony stated, “We aim for the Hindu community born in Arakan to live more unitedly than before, to preserve and protect the historical events without forgetting them, and to ensure that the Hindu community is safeguarded so that they no longer face the fear and anxiety they experienced in the past.”

On August 25, 2017, due to the terrorist massacre by the Islamic militant group ARSA, 113 Hindu individuals, including women and children, were killed in the villages of Kha Maung Seik and Ye Baw Kya in Maungdaw Township.

It is also known that over 6,000 Hindus reside in Maungdaw Township, living in areas such as Ward 4, Shwe Zar, Aung Bala Relief Camp, 4-Mile, Kyein Chaung, and Nga Khu Ra villages.