Arakan Army releases five abducted ALP members

By Aung Htein 18 Aug 2020

Aung Htein | DMG
August 18, Sittwe

The Arakan Army released five members of the Arakan Liberation Party who had been detained, including its joint-secretary, on August 18, said Lt-Col Khaing Kyaw Hlaing of the ALP.

“I got a report on the freeing of detainees this evening. They all were released without any harm to them. I have not seen them, but they all are in good health, according to the report,” Lt-Col Khaing Kyaw Hlaing told DMG.

The detainees released by the Arakan Army (AA) are Khaing Aung Soe Than, the ALP joint-secretary; Liaison Office staffer Khaing Htay; and Khaing Myo Zan, Khaing Moe Zat and Khaing Hein Zaw from the Rakhine Community Health Workers Association.

A 10-member AA contingent arrested the five people near Myaunggyi village in Ponnagyun Township on August 10 while they were on their way back from attending the funeral service of an ALP member.

“I would like to express special thanks to the officials of the AA. I am glad because the AA released the ALP members,” Lt-Col Khaing Kyaw Hlaing said.

According to a statement issued by the ALP in June, the AA also arrested ALP members Khaing Maung Khin Win and Khaing Maung Lone from Yabyatchai village in Pauktaw Township, and Khaing Win Hlaing from Sarpyin village, Taungup Township, in May.

The ALP has called for the release of any and all ALP members being detained by the AA.

The ALP/ALA (Arakan Liberation Army) signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government in 2015, while the AA is engaged in ongoing conflict with the military in western Myanmar.