Regime detains dozens of residents in Sittwe

By Admin 05 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 January 2024, Sittwe

Regime soldiers have been regularly arresting civilians under various pretexts since renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) broke out in Arakan State on November 13.

The regime detained about 60 vendors, shoppers, cargo workers and local residents near BXT port in Sittwe on the morning of January 4, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement.

“There were many shoppers and vendors in the morning when the regime soldiers detained dozens of civilians. Locals in Sittwe are facing various hardships and live in fear,” said a Sittwe resident.

The regime soldiers arrived at a local bazaar in military trucks and abducted dozens of people by force, said vendors.

Among the arrestees are some shoppers from Pauktaw and the detainees are currently being held at Sittwe’s No. 1 Police Station.

“The regime used to arrest civilians at crowded places. Many people face livelihood hardships during this difficult time. We will go hungry if we are banned from working. If the regime continues to arrest civilians without reason, we must stop working,” said a male vendor.

Junta soldiers and police told ferryboat helmsmen and cargo workers on December 23 that they would be arrested and prosecuted if they transported goods from Phaungdaw jetty to BXT port, which connects the Arakan State capital to the Kaladan River.

At least 50 ferry boatmen, residents, shoppers, travellers and students were detained by the Myanmar military at BXT Port on December 17. A junta warship arrested 10 people travelling from Sittwe town to Pauktaw Township by boat on the evening of December 21 and family members are still unable to contact the arrestees.

Some detained residents in Sittwe have been charged by the regime and some were released on bail.

Some 400 locals in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ramree, Manaung, Kyaukphyu and Thandwe townships have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began last month, according to a DMG tally.