Regime detains dozens in Sittwe

By Admin 05 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 August 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime detained at least 70 people in Arakan State while checking households for unregistered guests on Sunday night, according to residents.

Junta troops arrived in three vehicles and checked households in five wards including Kathe, Danyawaddy and Mingan, making dozens of arrests.

“Junta troops were not accompanied by ward administrators. They just came and checked the households against household registration certificates. They then arrested residents. We don’t know why they were arrested,” said a source.

Among the detainees were children, elderly people and women. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

The regime also checked households for unregistered guests in Setyonesu, Danyawaddy and Konetan wards on Saturday, when some residents were also reportedly arrested.

Last month, junta soldiers detained more than 10 residents in Konetan, Setyonesu, Myo Thu Gyi and Htanbinyin wards, and demanded ransom money of 3 to 5 million kyats each for their release.

In June, the regime also arrested 200 residents in Mingan Ward. Around 150 detainees were released after their relatives paid 700,000 kyats for each.

“The regime is doing as it pleases in Sittwe,” said one social activist in the Arakan State capital. “Things could get worse. Most of the people who remain in the town are low-income families. They are suffering hardships as the regime is milking money from them.”

Many residents have fled Sittwe since April, but some are still trapped in the town due to junta blockades and financial difficulties.

One woman from Sittwe said: “We stay in Sittwe because we have no other choice. We don’t feel safe. We are constantly worried that junta soldiers will come and arrest us.”

According to a DMG tally, the regime arrested at least 700 residents in Sittwe from May 1 to June 30. Around 300 have been released, but some 400 others remain detained.