Arakan Students Union condemns junta’s arrest of eight correspondent students in Sittwe

By Admin 17 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
17 November 2023, Sittwe

The Arakan Students Union has criticised the junta’s detention of eight correspondent students sitting for their examinations in the Arakan State capital Sittwe as an inhumane act.

Junta soldiers arrested eight correspondent students near Lawkananda Pagoda in Sittwe on Thursday morning and their whereabouts remain unknown, said an official from the Arakan Students Union.

“I don’t know where they [eight correspondent students] were abducted by the junta soldiers.  The junta’s arrest of university students is an inhumane act. The arrest of university students by the junta makes students more afraid,” the official added.

The Arakan Students Union is reportedly investigating the details of the detained correspondent students.

Renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) began on November 13 when the third batch of correspondent students sat for their examination.

The junta has blocked off land and water routes to Arakan State and increased its military presence since renewed hostilities began on November 13.

“I’m not safe just sitting for the exam. Even if you walk, you can see the soldiers. There are also arrests, so I am very worried about my safety,” said a female university student from Minbya who is sitting for the exam at Sittwe University.

Arakan State residents say that targeting and arresting young university students on suspicion is a violation of human rights.

“Arresting and threatening innocent students is an act of terrorism. The junta’s arrest of innocent students distracts other students,” said a social activist in Arakan State who did not wish to be named for security reasons.

A group of students who returned from an exam at Sittwe University were also verbally abused and threatened by junta soldiers stationed near the university on November 15.

University students say they are worried about taking the examination.