Regime arrests over 700 civilians during latest Arakan fighting

By Admin 18 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 November 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime arrested 703 civilians between November 13, 2023, and November 13, 2024, during the first year of its latest round of fighting with the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, the AA's Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) said in a report on Monday.

Among the arrestees are 267 from Sittwe; 129 from Kyaukphyu; 128 from Maungdaw; 50 from Pauktaw; 31 from Buthidaung; 24 from Taungup; 14 from Thandwe; nine from Minbya; eight each from Gwa and Ramree; six each from Mrauk-U and Myebon; five each from Ponnagyun and Rathedaung; four from Kyauktaw; and two from Manaung.

A total of 198 have since been released, but 505 are still detained, the report said. Among those arrested were 24 children under the age of 18.

"The military entered the village and arrested the residents without any reason," said a resident of Amyit Kyun Village. "There are still people who have not been released. People with tattoos related to Arakan State were arrested by the regime, accusing them of being AA members. Families have not been able to contact the detainees."

Some of those arrested have been sentenced to prison on political charges, others are still facing trial, and some have not been in contact with family members since they were detained.

Residents say that only a few of those arrested in Kyaukphyu Township have been released, and most remain in junta custody.

"The regime has been making frequent arrests, raising concerns among local residents about security. As long as the regime is in power, you have to be careful not to get arrested," said a resident of Kyaukphyu.

During the latest fighting in Arakan State, the regime has been accused of targeting civilians, arresting them arbitrarily and handing down unjust prison sentences, as well as indiscriminately attacking villages with airstrikes and artillery, and other conduct constituting war crimes.

Junta soldiers and allied forces raided Sittwe Township's Byaing Phyu Village on May 29, killing nearly 80 people and initially abducting more than 300 villagers. A court inside Sittwe Prison sentenced 234 of the Byaing Phyu villagers to three years in prison under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and Section 188 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

"Arresting and killing civilians seems to be a procedure of the regime," said a human rights activist in Arakan State. "If the regime has gone to war, it arrests civilians on suspicion and does whatever it wants. It is also a psychological operation of the military to make the people afraid. People are insecure. Now the people of the towns still controlled by the regime are living in fear."

The residents of Arakan State's Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung, which are still controlled by the regime, are trapped and face threats.