Regime arrests dozens in Sittwe

By Admin 14 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 August 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly blocked off the entries and exits of Sittwe and has made a series of arrests of civilians in the Arakan State capital in recent days.

About 30 junta soldiers and members of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) abducted 21 locals from Sittwe’s Kandawgyi Ward on the night of August 12, residents said.

“Junta soldiers and ALP members have been conducting overnight guest checks in Kandawgyi Ward for four days. They abducted 21 locals from Kandawgyi Ward on August 12,” said a source close to the arrestees.

Junta troops arrived in two vehicles, checked households in Sittwe’s Kathe Ward and detained at least 20 local residents at around 11 p.m. on August 11.

“Junta soldiers arrived in two military trucks, forced locals to open their doors and took some suspects,” said a resident of Kathe Ward.

The regime also detained about a dozen Muslims from Sittwe’s Aungmingalar Ward at around 9 p.m. on August 10. Among the detainees are Muslims displaced by fighting in Buthidaung Township.

In addition to the overnight checks looking for unregistered guests and accompanying arrests, junta soldiers and ALP members in Sittwe have increased their patrols, and have been accused of extorting money from local residents.

“They [junta soldiers and ALP members] just do what they want due to the regime’s road blockades. They arrest Sittwe residents on suspicion, but release the arrestees later.  It is quite worrying for the locals to continue living in Sittwe,” said a local man in the Arakan State capital.

It is estimated that at least 100 people have been arrested in Sittwe so far this month, with some detainees subsequently released.

The military regime detained at least 70 people in Sittwe’s Kathe, Danyawaddy and Mingan Wards on August 4 and later released about 20 arrestees.