Military arrests man and woman in Kyaukphyu for allegedly raising funds for AA

By DMG 27 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 May 2022, Kyaukphyu 

A man and a woman in Kyaukphyu were arrested by the Myanmar military on May 26 for allegedly raising funds for the Arakan Army (AA), according to family members. 

The detainees have been identified as U Than Hlaing, 41, and Daw Khin Ohn Ngwe, 56, from Ceditaung ward in Kyaukphyu. They were taken into custody by security members from the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 34 near Shwe U Restaurant, and are currently being held at Kyaukphyu Myoma police station. 

“They were reportedly abducted by nine junta soldiers in plainclothes near Shwe U Restaurant. The Myanmar military accused the pair of raising funds for the Arakan Army, said eyewitnesses. So far, neither the Myanmar military nor the police have informed us about the arrest,” said U Mra Aung San, the husband of Daw Khin Ohn Ngwe. 

U Than Hlaing’s family is feeling helpless and worried, said Ma Cho Cho Thein, the man’s wife. 

“My husband has no ties to the Arakan Army. My husband makes a living as a sidecar driver. I live in a rented home with two children. I have to send my children to school and pay rent. I am worried about our livelihood. I want him released as soon as possible,” she added. 

DMG’s calls to Kyaukphyu Myoma police station seeking comment on the matter went unanswered. 

The Myanmar military and the Arakan Army reached an unofficial ceasefire in November 2020, after some two years of fighting. Only a handful of small-scale clashes have been reported since then, and the number of people detained for alleged AA ties steadily dwindled in the months after.  

However, military tensions are currently said to be running high in Arakan State. Fighting broke out between the two sides on May 26 near the village of Abaung Thar in neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State, with junta troops reportedly firing heavy weapons.  

The regime has also lately been searching for officials of the parallel administration run by the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the AA, in Arakan State villages, and warning residents not to join the ULA/AA cause.