Ward administrator in Mrauk-U flees after being accused of AA ties

03 Oct 2020

Nyan Hein | DMG
3 October 2020, Sittwe

A ward administrator in Mrauk-U was forced to flee home after a man who described himself as a Myanmar military officer accused him of supplying food and funds to the Arakan Army (AA).

The AA, an ethnic armed group engaged in ongoing fighting with the Tatmadaw, has been declared a terrorist organisation by the government.    

U Hla Maung Shwe, administrator of Aungtet Ward in Mrauk-U, told DMG that a man describing himself as a captain of Light Infantry Battalion No. 377 based in the same township, phoned him on September 28 and accused him of collecting funds and sending foodstuffs to the AA.

“A captain from Battalion 377 phoned me and threatened me that he had received information that I was collecting funds and supplying food for the AA. But I didn’t,” said U Hla Maung Shwe.

The captain reportedly called again on September 30, which frightened his family members into also leaving their home.

“He called again and said he wanted to meet me. I have no ties to the AA. I dare not go to meet him. My family members have also fled. I have informed the township administrator about it,” said U Hla Maung Shwe.

DMG was unable to contact the Tatmadaw True News Information Team for comment.

On October 1, the Sittwe District Court began hearing the case of rice miller U Ye Kyaw Tun from Sabarhtar village, Ponnagyun Township, who was detained and charged under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law for allegedly supplying rice to the AA.

The Myanmar military has also opened cases against Agnu Ywar Thit village administrator U Maung Zaw, 40, and Ywar Thit Kay Village administrator, 42, of Myebon Township under Sections 50(j) and 52(b) of Counter-Terrorism Law for alleged ties to the AA.