Dozens of detained Sittwe residents released on bail

By Admin 20 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 June 2024, Sittwe

About 50 out of some 200 residents from Mingan Ward in Arakan State’s Sittwe Town who were detained by the regime were reportedly released on bail on June 18.

“Some detainees paid ransom money of K200,000 to K700,000 to authorities for their release and signed a pledge that they would inform the regime when the AA [Arakkha Army] fighters enter their village,” said a source close to some of those released by the regime.

Mingan residents were released by the regime through the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 20, Police Battalion 12 and the regional command headquarters.

Ten vehicles full of junta troops arrived in Mingan Ward at around 1 p.m. on June 16, and went door to door arresting people.

The Mingan residents still detained by the regime are mostly young people and families are worried about the safety of the detainees as they have not been in contact with them.

“My brother-in-law was arrested and his whereabouts remain unknown,” said a family member of one of the detainees.

Many residents have fled the Arakan State capital for fear of possible fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA), but many low-income families cannot afford to flee the town.

Myanmar’s military regime has meanwhile forced thousands of residents from 12 Arakanese villages in Sittwe Township to move to Sittwe Town, its seat of administration in Arakan State.

“The regime is attempting to instil fear among the people. The regime arrests civilians on suspicion. The people who are still in Sittwe are not safe at all,” said a social activist.

The regime arrested more than 300 residents of Byaing Phyu Village in Sittwe Township on May 29, killing at least 76 people, burning many of their bodies and prosecuting some people.

The military’s regional command headquarters, LIB Nos. 20, 232, 270, 344 and 354, and police battalions 12 and 36 are based in Sittwe. The regime has planted landmines around Sittwe to prevent the AA from attacking, with significant consequences including limiting movement for the civilian population.