Summary of "Conflict and Mass Violence in Arakan (Rakhine State): The 1942 Events and Political Identity Formation" by Jacques P. Leider

Main Thesis The paper posits that the 1942 mass violence in Arakan (now Rakhine State, Myanmar) was a transformative event during World War II, triggered by the Japanese invasion and the breakdown of British colonial rule. It argues that this violence not only resulted in ethnic cleansing but also profoundly shaped the political identities of both Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim communities, fostering deep-seated ethno-religious divisions that influenced post-war politics, including the rise of the Rohingya identity and Rakhine nationalism. Key Historical Events Breakdown of British Authority (March-April 1942): The Japanese advance into Burma led to the rapid collapse of British administration in Arakan, creating a power vacuum by late March. Outbreak of Violence: Communal clashes began around March 28, 1942, in central Arakan (e.g., Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw townships), where Arakanese Buddhists attacked Muslim villagers of Chittagonian origin. This escalated into retaliatory assaults by Chittagonian Muslims on Buddhist villages in northern Arakan (Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships). Territorial Division (1942-1945): The region split along ethnic lines, with Muslims dominating the north and Buddhists the south. Thousands were displaced, many Muslims fleeing to refugee camps in Bengal. Post-War Ramifications:  

The events spurred Muslim autonomy demands, the establishment of peace committees, and later insurgencies like the Mujahid revolt in 1948. They also affected Rakhine political strategies amid fears of demographic shifts. 

Ref:

https://www.networkmyanmar.org/ESW/Files/Leider_2017_02_Rakhine_1942_Mass_violence_FINAL_REV.pdf

Extra Notes: Rakhine authors (e.g., Bonpauk Tha Kyaw's 1973 book) describe Muslims killing village heads in Rekchaung/Chaungkyi, Myebon, as the start. Aye Chan (Arakan historian) cites Muslims killing >20,000 Arakanese, including Deputy Commissioner U Oo Kyaw Khaing in northern Arakan (not specifically Myebon). Burmese blogs (e.g., KZO) echo this, claiming Bengalis killed Myebon headmen brothers, sparking riots. At least over 8,000 Rakhine fled to Chittagong and became refugees there. British V-Force is alleged by local and other sources as arming and training the Muslims to attack both the Japanese and Thakins but they ended up killing thousands of Rakhine and non-Muslims also in 3 townships (Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathaedaung) in Arakan Re-invasion Campaigns based from Bengal by the British forces.

https://x.com/ArakanBaynews/status/1956257092215726203