Interviewees stated that the villagers stuck under the AA are still not allowed to move freely between villages. This is something that has been also suggested by reports that the Arakan Army is also maintaining strict curfews and movement restrictions on Rohingya villages across northern Rakhine State. The villagers often face verbal or physical abuse if they ask or request permission to travel. This practice is similar to that which was imposed by the Tatmadaw to control the movement of Rohingyas. An interviewee described how the AA’s travel permission document, locally known as ‘Tokenza’, is needed to cross the checkpoints on the way. Along the way, villagers can still face interrogation regarding the location and duration of their travel, despite possession of a tokenza. Even villagers who manage to acquire such travel passes remain unsafe. An interviewee who was taking refuge in Sein Nyein Pyar village since May 2024 travelled to a neighbouring ward with a valid Tokenza from the AA. However, while returning, he was abducted by the AA. ➔ Constrained or Controlled Lives Witnesses from Maugdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships of the Rakhine State recount a disturbing confined life. This became possible after the areas were taken over by the AA from the military regime. It has been reported that they also enforced curfews, checkpoints, and prohibitive permit systems on the community. In addition to this mandatory pass system, one account from our testimonies revealed that the group imposes strict curfew measures at night, starting from 6 pm to 6 am. Even individuals holding valid passes are required to arrive at and depart from the village within the designated time frame. These restrictions severely limit residents’ ability to move freely. As a result, the residents of the villagers are confined into their homes once the curfew is in effect. The testimony also revealed that while staying in a village, the forces of the group carried out raids to investigate villagers’ links to the Tatmadaw or the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). False accusations are reportedly made during these raids, resulting in often fabricated claims of the victim’s links to the military and ARSA. This often leads to “arrest” or abduction by the AA. 15