Myanmar military detains two villagers in Taungup Twsp

24 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
24 September 2022, Taungup

Two local men were taken from their homes in Taungup Township, Arakan State, by the Myanmar military at about 4 p.m. on September 23, according to family members of the detainees.

The arrestees have been identified as U Aye Kyaw Kyaw, 39, from Nyaungphauk Village and U Kyaw Kyaw Naing, a 40-year-old resident from Thetkelpyin Village. About 90 junta soldiers in four military trucks arrived in Nyaungphauk Village and abducted U Aye Kyaw Kyaw from his home, said the younger brother of the detainee.

“He [U Aye Kyaw Kyaw] was arrested by junta soldiers at his home for questioning. I don’t know where he was taken,” he added.

The security personnel who arrested the two men are from the military’s Taungup-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 544, and around 60 junta soldiers are still stationed at the village monastery and at the village’s entry and exit points, locals said.

About 20 junta soldiers took U Kyaw Kyaw Naing, a timber merchant, from his home in Thetkelpyin Village to the LIB No. 544 headquarters, said a villager who declined to be named for security reasons.

“Ko Kyaw Kyaw Naing is a timber merchant and was reportedly detained by LIB No. 544 for questioning. He is a businessman and has no links with any political organisations,” the unmanned villager added.

The military has made a series of civilian arrests after the Arakan Army (AA) attacked a support ship belonging to the Myanmar military with heavy weapons in Taungup Township on September 16.

The military arrested at least seven civilians from September 18 to 23, and the detainees have not been in contact with their family members.