Regime detains gold shop owner in Mrauk-U

By Admin 19 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
19 December 2023, Mrauk-U

A gold shop owner in Taungyat Ward, Mrauk-U, Arakan State, was arrested by Myanmar regime soldiers on December 18, according to local residents.

The 38-year-old detainee has been identified as U Kyaw Naing Oo, an owner of ‘Nawarat’ jewelry shop. He was abducted by the junta soldiers near a junction in Taungyat Ward at about 9 p.m. on Monday while returning from a friend’s home by motorbike.

“He was arrested when the junta soldiers patrolled downtown Mrauk-U yesterday night. The reason for the arrest remains unknown and he has not been released yet,” said a local resident in Mrauk-U.

The whereabouts of U Kyaw Naing Oo remain unknown and family members have not been able to contact him despite their efforts to do so, according to a source close to the family of U Kyaw Naing Oo.

The junta has tightened security checks on locals and passersby following fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) in Mrauk-U on December 13.

The regime also detained two local residents in Mrauk-U on December 17, but released the duo the next day.

“The regime arrests innocent civilians and attempts to instill fear among the local people. People have to live cautiously in order to be safe,” said another resident in Mrauk-U.

At least 450 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 said in a statement on December 14.