15 Muslims, three human smugglers arrested in Ann Twsp

By DMG 21 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
21 April 2022, Ann 

Fifteen Muslims and three Chin people were arrested in a forest near Ahtet Ma Htein village in Ann Township, Arakan State, and have been accused of involvement in human trafficking, according to the Ann Myoma police station.

They were arrested at about 10 a.m. on April 20 and among the 15 Muslims, 13 were men and two were women living in Sittwe and Buthidaung townships, according to police.

The Muslims were handed over to Ann Township’s Department of Immigration and Population and the human smugglers are being held at Ann Myoma police station to be sued under Section 367 of the Penal Code, said Police Captain Myo Kyi, chief of the township police station.

“The 15 Muslims were handed over to Ann Township’s Department of Immigration and Population and the human smugglers will be charged under Section 367 of the Penal Code. The Muslims will be prosecuted under the Immigration Law at the court,” the police officer told DMG.

Muslims from Arakan State who attempt to travel elsewhere seeking work are frequently arrested at the security checkpoint in Ann Township. Most Muslims in Arakan State are denied freedom of movement. Due to travel restrictions imposed by successive governments, they cannot travel freely within or outside of Arakan State.

The junta-controlled Ministry of Immigration and Population imposed new travel restrictions on March 5, making national registration cards (NRCs), also known as citizenship scrutiny cards, necessary for travel as of April 1.