Family of rice mill owner detained by military seeks help from Arakan chief minister

By Aung Htein 02 Sep 2020

Aung Htein | DMG
2 September, Ponnagyun 

Family members of a rice mill owner in Ponnagyun Township who has been detained by the military paid a call on Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu on September 2 and sought help for the detainee. 

The family is concerned for the safety of the detainee, U Ye Kyaw Tin from Sabarhtar village, because they do not know where he is currently being held and there has been no word yet on his whereabouts. 

Daw Mu Mu Khaing, the younger sister of the detainee, said family members told the chief minister that U Ye Kyaw Tin is innocent and that the rice sacks seized from his mill during the arrest on August 31 were to be shipped to rice wholesalers in Sittwe. 

“The chief minister phoned the military in front of us, making an explanation about the detention of my brother. The chief minister also asked the military to transfer the detainee to the police,” Daw Mu Mu Khaing said. “The military said the case is under investigation.” 

The chief minister also pledged to assist family members of the detainee as much as possible, she added. 

Security personnel from a naval ship moored nearby entered Sabarhtar village and conducted interrogations of households and at rice mills in the village on August 31. Security forces arrested 48-year-old U Ye Kyaw Tun after they found dozens of rice bags in a mill owned by the detainee, family members said. 

The Tatmadaw True News Information Team released a statement on September 1 saying security personnel seized 80 rice sacks from U Ye Kyaw Tun’s house and alleging that the rice bags were being stored for the Arakan Army. 

Family members of the detainee rejected the military’s statement. 

“This is a groundless accusation and the rice sacks are ours. Many people in rural areas store paddy and sell the milled rice. This is not the first time. We have been selling rice since many years ago,” Daw Mu Mu Khaing said. “I am worried that my brother would be tortured by the military.” 

The military also interrogated the Sabarhtar village administrator on September 1 and released him the next day, according to locals. 

The number of civilians arrested over suspected links to the Arakan Army continues to rise amid growing worry about a recent surge in locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Arakan State.