Junta charges dozens of detained ferry boatmen in Sittwe 

By Admin 16 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 December 2023, Sittwe

At least 40 ferryboat helmsmen and residents detained by Myanmar’s military at BXT Port in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have reportedly been charged by the regime, family members said.

The detainees appeared before the Sittwe Township Court on December 15 and were remanded for one week.

“We don’t know exactly under which section they have been charged. They were held on remand and were not allowed to meet family members,” said a family member of one of the detainees.

About 40 junta soldiers and policemen took the 50 ferry boatmen, vendors, travellers and students to BXT port in Sittwe at about 4 p.m. on December 12.

Of the detainees, four people including students and pregnant women were released on bail on December 14.

Most of the arrestees are the grassroots and daily wage workers, and family members are demanding their release as they are facing a food crisis.

“The detainees have reportedly been charged under Section 61(b) of the Code. We were forced to return home after he sent food to the arrestees,” said a family member of a detained ferryboat helmsman.

Section 61(b) of the Code states that if it is judged that by placing any goods on the road, land, etc., beyond the time allowed for the loading of cargo, causing an obstruction to the public, a minimum of one month to a maximum of six months in prison or a minimum fine of K30,000 to a maximum of K100,000, or both, may be imposed.

According to the helmsmen, the regime has restricted the boatmen who are working at the BXT port in Sittwe to not transport goods to the port.

The grassroots in Arakan State are struggling to make ends meet due to food shortages and skyrocketing commodity prices triggered by the junta’s road blockade.

“We have been banned from transporting goods and passengers to the BXT port.  The ban suppresses the basic manual labour that earns a living from day to day. I don’t know how long I’ll have to take a break from work,” said a helmsman.

At least 430 locals in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, and Thandwe townships have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began last month, the Arakan Army (AA) said in a statement on December 14.