Regime arrests nearly 500 Arakan State civilians during latest fighting 

By Admin 06 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
6 April 2024, Sittwe

The military regime arrested 471 civilians between November 13, 2023, and March 21 during the latest fighting in Arakan State, the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) said in a report.

Among the detainees were 424 men and 47 women, including Muslims, said the HDCO.

“They are being kept in prisons. Family members could visit them. But it is not fair to detain people who did nothing wrong,” said a family member of a boatman detained by the regime.

The boatman was one of 20 boatmen detained by the regime at BXT Port in Sittwe on December 12. More than 50 civilians including travellers and students were detained at the port that day.

Since renewed fighting broke out on November 13, the regime has arrested residents in Sittwe, Pauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Ramree and Ann townships, on various dubious pretexts.

Civilians were detained and jailed under the Unlawful Associations Act and incitement charges of the Penal Code for allegedly having ties to the Arakan Army, the parallel National Unity Government and its parliamentary counterpart, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.

The regime has also arrested and prosecuted some internet users who wrote comments or shared reports by Arakan State-based media outlets covering human rights violations committed by the junta.

“The regime will arrest civilians and torture them when it can’t fight the AA. This is what the regime typically does,” said a politician.

Since renewed fighting broke out in November, the AA has seized large swaths of Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon, Ramree townships in Arakan State, and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

The AA is also continuing its attacks on junta positions in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Ann townships.