Over three days, regime detains at least 26 people in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 28 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 December 2023, Kyaukphyu

Myanmar’s military regime has arrested at least 26 people from several wards in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, over the three days from December 26-28.

The regime detained at least 10 local people from Taungyin, Paikseik and Pyinphymaw wards in Kyaukphyu, near Aungcedi Village, at around 8 a.m. on Thursday, and a resident from Ngalapway Ward at about 9 p.m. on December 27.

“Junta soldiers and police detained at least a dozen people and took them in a military truck. I can confirm that one of the arrestees is from Taungyin Ward and two are from Paikseik and Pyinphyumaw wards. I don’t know exactly about the other arrestees,” said a local man.

At least 15 fishermen were arrested by a coalition of personnel from the military’s Kyaukphyu-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 34 and Myoma police station at about 8 p.m. on December 26. Junta soldiers beat the arrestees and held them at Myoma police station, locals said.

“Regime soldiers beat the arrestees with gunstocks and kicked them. The arrestees were also verbally abused and threatened by junta soldiers,” said an eyewitness.

The arrestees are said to be fishermen and agriculturists. DMG continues to attempt to ascertain the names and details of the other two arrestees.

“We are worried that we will be arrested when we search for food. We dare not pass in front of junta soldiers in downtown Kyaukphyu and don’t want to meet them,” said a local woman from Cediya Ward in Kyaukphyu.

The junta’s Kyauktalone checkpoint outside Kyaukphyu on November 13 imposed a ban on people entering or leaving the town. The regime also imposed a ban on sea transport for one month, from November 19 to December 19.

The grassroots in Kyaukphyu are reportedly living on a subsistence diet of porridge alone as food supplies have dwindled due to the junta’s isolation of the town. Local people in Kyaukphyu are concerned for their safety due to the junta’s arrests of numerous civilians on the basis of suspicion alone.

Since renewed fighting in Arakan State began on November 13, the regime has detained at least 160 locals in Kyaukphyu. Of them, about 100 were released, but approximately 60 remain detained, according to a DMG tally.