RSO Militants Attempt Group Sexual Assault on Indigenous Tanchangya Woman in Bangladesh

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Global Arakan Network November 14, 2025

Members of the Islamist militant group RSO (photocrd)

Members of the Islamist militant group RSO (Rohingya Solidarity Organization) attempted to gang-rape an indigenous Tanchangya woman in Naikhongchari Township, Bandarban District, in the hill region of Bangladesh, according to local news outlet Hill Voice.

On November 12, at around 5:30 p.m., the woman—identified as the wife of Lombu Aung Tanchangya from Hatimarapara Village, Naikhongchari—was returning home after buying items for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Near the Jarmita canal, she was stopped by around 15 RSO members, who then attempted to sexually assault her.

The assault was prevented when around 10 ethnic Rakhine youths, who were in the area for the wedding, witnessed the incident and intervened in time, rescuing the woman before the attackers could carry out the crime.

When the local youths questioned the group, the RSO members claimed that they were operating in the area under the orders of the commander of Battalion 34 of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and that they had been stationed there by official instruction.

After rescuing the woman, the youths reported the incident to the Chingbua Union Police Station. However, Rupan Barua, the station chief, allegedly pressured them to keep the matter quiet, insisting that the attempted assault should not be made public. He reportedly stated that the RSO members were “his people” and urged that the issue be resolved discreetly.

It is reported that in and around Naikhongchari Township, RSO and other armed Islamist militant groups frequently carry out acts of violence against the local indigenous communities.

Source@arakanbaynews