Dozens of Ann Twsp villagers go into hiding as junta seeks their arrest

13 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2022, Ann

Locals in Talai Taung Village in Arakan State’s Ann Township said dozens of residents including the village administrator have gone into hiding as junta soldiers are searching for them.

A 30-strong military contingent entered the village on October 7 and searched for 33 residents including U Aung Kyaw San, the village administrator, seeking to have them arrested, said a villager who managed to evade arrest.

“We all went into hiding when we heard the news that around 30 junta soldiers arrived in the village on October 7. The junta soldiers broke into my house, destroyed the doors, and threatened my wife at gunpoint. A captain from the military asked my wife about my whereabouts and threatened to have her killed,” the villager told DMG.

U Aung San, a Christian pastor from Talai Taung Village, was arrested and taken away by the military on October 7 and has not been seen or heard from since, said U Aung Nyein, the younger brother of the detainee.

“My brother was among 33 people who were to be arrested by the military. I urged him to flee to a safer location but he rejected my request and told me he has to take care of our mother. He also told me that he did nothing wrong. When the military column arrived in the village, he was taken and his whereabouts remain unknown,” U Aung Nyein told DMG, adding that he has gone into hiding as he too is on the military’s wanted list.

There are 228 households in Talai Taung Village.

The military contingent is currently stationed in Nyaung Chaung Village, about seven miles from Talai Taung Village, and those who have gone into hiding say they are not comfortable returning home for the time being.

“We cannot work or return home due to the military presence near the village. I don’t know the reason why we were searched by the military. I think that the military’s pursuit of innocent people is creating fear among the people,” another Talai Taung villager said.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the regime, regarding the military’s search for the Talai Taung villagers.

The regime has made a series of civilian arrests on suspicion following renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army in Arakan State.