Hundreds of civilians accused of Arakan Army affiliations remain detained by junta, ethnic armed group says

By DMG 28 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
28 November 2022, Sittwe 

Hundreds of civilians detained by the Myanmar military on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) amid renewed hostilities between the two sides remain in junta custody, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha told a press briefing on Monday. 

A total of 324 innocent civilians were detained and only 85 of them have since been released, according to the AA spokesman. 

“The Myanmar military especially targeted Thandwe, Taungup, Kyaukphyu, Manaung, Ramree and Ann townships; 324 innocent Arakan civilians were detained over the past two months. Eighty-five of them were released, but the other 239 innocent civilians remain under detention,” said the spokesman. 

The ULA/AA has been trying its best to secure the release of those unjustly arrested, he added. 

DMG was unable to obtain comment from junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun and Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura about U Khaing Thukha’s claims. 

The Myanmar military and Arakan Army entered into a second unofficial ceasefire on Saturday after months of military tensions escalated into full-fledged armed conflict in August, displacing thousands of people, and killing and injuring scores more.  

“How long the humanitarian ceasefire will hold and what agreements the two sides can reach will depend on further negotiations and the commitments of both sides. Under the current ceasefire, there is a good chance [that those still detained will be released],” he said. 

A family member of one such detainee, Ko Maung Htun Hlaing from Kyauktaw Township’s Wa Pyan Village, called on the Myanmar military to free all those who were arrested for alleged AA ties, as part of the recent ceasefire. 

“The detainees are innocent. They must be released as soon as possible. Family members will have difficulties if they are detained for long,” he said. 

Ko Maung Htun Hlaing, 32 and Ko Than Htay, 25, from Wa Pyan Village, an autorickshaw owner from Shan Ywar Village, and three other men were detained by junta soldiers at a regime security checkpoint run by Light Infantry Battalion No. 539 on November 18. 

“Ko Maung Htun Hlaing is a daily wage earner. He was arrested on his way to a vessel on which he was offered a job. His wife and children are experiencing hardships now,” said his relative. 

Many family members are concerned for the safety of the detainees as they have not been allowed to visit them.