Three local businessmen detained by regime in Taungup

By DMG 15 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
15 October 2022, Taungup

Three businessmen in Arakan State’s Taungup Township were detained by the Myanmar military on the afternoon of October 14, according to local residents.

The detainees have been identified as U Kyaw Yin, 60, an owner of Kyel Yadanar Jewelry in Kanpai Ward; U Kyan Aung, 60, owner of a mobile phone shop in Kanpai Ward; and U Than Ngwe Kyi, 53, owner of a construction materials shop in Chaungkauk Ward.

The three men were taken from their homes by about 20 junta soldiers and police, said a local resident in Kanpai Ward who declined to be named for security reasons.

“They [three businessmen] were abducted from their homes by around 20 regime soldiers and police. I don’t know the reason for the arrests,” the unnamed resident told DMG.

The junta increased its military presence in Chaungkauk and Kanpai wards after the three local businessmen were arrested, another Taungup resident said.

“The military tightened security checks in downtown wards and deployed more soldiers yesterday. Residents dare not go outside at night,” he added.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the regime, regarding the military’s arrest of the three businessmen in Taungup Township.

At least 12 residents have been arrested by the military in Taungup Township since September 17. Civilian arrests are on the rise in the region following renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State.