Junta detains at least 20 residents in Sittwe

By Admin 02 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 January 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime abducted at least 20 civilians from Blocks 1 and 2 in Sittwe’s Sat Yoe Kya Ward and Mindarchait Village on January 1, according to local residents.

Around 40 regime soldiers arrived in Sittwe’s Sat Yoe Kya Ward in eight military trucks yesterday afternoon and detained 12 residents. They also took about 10 residents from Sat Yoe Kya Ward at about 9 p.m. on Monday.

According to a DMG investigation, U Khin Maung Oo, U Maung Bu Chay, Ko Saw Aung Thein, Ko Japan, Ma Saw Bu Chay, Ma Hsan Nwe Win and six Muslims are among those detained by the regime. As of press time, the arrestees had not been released and their whereabouts remained unknown.

“The regime reportedly conducted overnight guest checks without respective ward administrators,” said a resident of Sat Yoe Kya Ward.

The regime has been arresting, prosecuting, fining and extorting residents in Arakan State for various reasons since renewed fighting began on November 13.

“The regime arrests dozens of people on suspicion regardless of men or women for various reasons. We are worried about our safety even though we live in our home,” said a Sittwe woman.

The regime has detained about 100 civilians in Sittwe since renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) began on November 13. Among the detainees are students, Buddhist monks, vendors and common folk.

At least 50 ferry boatmen, residents, shoppers, travellers and students detained by Myanmar’s military at BXT Port on December 21 have reportedly been charged by the regime.

“Arresting local residents has nothing to do with the regime fighting with the AA. The grassroots make a living as daily-wage earners and will go hungry if they are arrested,” said another Sittwe resident.

Some 400 locals in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ramree, Manaung, Kyaukphyu and Thandwe townships have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began last month, according to a DMG tally.