A/HRC/39/CRP.2 either they knew of the existence of these groups and the identity of members of the Pyi Thu Sit in their village, they witnessed groups being trained in public areas, or because they were recognisable as they wore some type of adapted military uniform. 2823 For example, a man from Ta Man Thar Village Tract, northern Maungdaw Township, could easily recognise and identify the Pyi Thu Sit in his village because, as the local tailor, he altered their uniforms. 2824 1267. In other villages, however, ethnic Rakhine were not in uniform but were armed with military-grade weapons. In some cases, these weapons were seen being distributed to ethnic Rakhine by the Tatmadaw immediately prior to a “clearance operation”. 2825 As noted above,2826 the Government has acknowledged that it had actively organized Rakhine militia groups after 2016. In view of this, it is possible that, in locations where ethnic Rakhine were using military grade weapons, the Tatmadaw had mobilised them as part of the strategy of arming new militias. Role of other minority groups 1268. In fewer villages, other minority groups were identified as participating in the “clearance operations”. This included sightings of Khami, Hindu, Mro (also referred to as Murong), Thet, Daignet (also referred to as Chakma) and Borua (Myamagi) individuals. 2827 There were also references to Bangladeshi Rakhines who had recently returned to Myanmar.2828 1269. Rohingya villagers were able to identify the minorities who were participating in the “clearance operations”, either through their distinctive dress or because they were personally known to them.2829 In three locations, however, Hindus were identified as participating in “clearance operations” while wearing clothes traditionally worn by Muslims. 2830 As one Rohingya witness noted: I saw about six members of the Hindu community walking with the military. I was surprised as they were wearing Muslim dress. I recognized these men because they were known to me, they were the barbers at the market from Taung Bazaar, but they often came to our village market too. They were wearing white cleric clothes (kurta) and skullcaps.2831 1270. While the Mission has not been able to verify these allegations, it takes note of credible reports that described how the government had circulated false photos of persons revealed to be Hindus dressed in Muslim traditional dress, allegedly burning their own village, provided on a State-sponsored international tour of Rakhine State in September 2017.2832 1271. Moreover, Rohingya often use the collective term “Mog”, usually to refer to a person of ethnic-Rakhine ethnicity. In some cases, the label is used more broadly to refer to any person of non-Rohingya identity. As such, in all cases, the Mission sought to clarify the ethnic identity of persons identified in this way. Indeed, in most cases interviewees were able to provide specific clarification as to who was being identified. However, given the fluidity of the term’s use, the role of other groups in the “clearance operations” will require additional investigation. 2823 2824 2825 2826 2827 2828 2829 2830 2831 2832 312 LI-052, LI-104, LI-118. LI-104. LI-052, LI-103, YI-031. See this chapter, section D.2.b: The build-up to 25 August 2017. CI-124, CI-125, CI-135, CI-148, CI-189, CI-198, EI-051, EI-053, LI-044, LI-059, LI-076, LI-104, LI109, LI-111, LI-119, WI-034, WI-044, QI-012, QI-022, QI-058, QI-109, RI-007, WI-034, WI-044. WI-034, LI-054. CI-135, CI-148, CI-189, CI-198, EI-053, LI-044, QI-012, QI-022, QI-058, RI-007, WI-044. LI-044, LI-059, QI-012. LI-044. See for example J. Head, “Rohingya crisis: Seeing through the official story in Myanmar” (BBC, 11 September 2017)