Dozens of undocumented Muslims from Arakan State arrested in Ayeyarwady Region

By Admin 21 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 April 2023, Ngapudaw, Ayeyarwady Region

Dozens of undocumented Muslims and human traffickers were reportedly arrested by the Myanmar Navy off the coast of Ngapudaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

A boat travelling in the sea off Ngapudaw Township was intercepted by a Myanmar Navy vessel and 70 undocumented Muslims, the boat driver and seven human traffickers were arrested on the morning of April 19, according to a source close to the Ngapudaw police station.

“The Myanmar Navy vessel stopped a boat in the sea while on patrol and found dozens of undocumented Muslims and human traffickers on the boat. Among the detainees are middle-aged people,” the source said.

The detained Muslims include 58 men and 12 women from Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships in Arakan State, the source added.

They were destined for Malaysia via Ayeyarwady Region and eventually Mon State, and the seven human traffickers, as well as the boat operator, are Arakanese nationals living in Ayeyarwady Region, the source said.

The detained Muslims are currently being accommodated at a warehouse at a drinking water factory, and the human traffickers were taken to Ngapudaw police station, according to local residents.

“The detained Muslims are held at the drinking water factory and junta soldiers and police are deployed near the factory. The seven human traffickers were taken to the police station,” said a resident of Ngapudaw’s Asahe Paing Ward.

Hundreds of Muslims from Arakan State who were attempting to leave the state to work elsewhere in Myanmar, or abroad in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, have been detained in Ayeyarwady Region over the past year, with most of them subsequently charged under the Immigration Act.