Junta civilian detentions rising in southern Arakan

By Admin 07 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 August 2024, Gwa

Myanmar’s military regime has made a series of arrests of civilians in Arakan State’s Gwa Township, where military tensions between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) are running high and at least a dozen local residents were reportedly arrested in a week.

Junta soldiers stationed in Ywathitkone Village detained seven underage youths while conducting interrogations of passersby on August 6.

“Junta soldiers interrogated all passersby,” said a source. “Junta soldiers forced civilians to kneel and asked if AA fighters had entered the village. Some civilians were beaten with gunstocks. The detainees are under the age of 18.”

Six local residents from Gantgawtaung Village in Gwa Township were reportedly arrested from August 1 to 4. U Pauk Kyaine, U Aung Gyi, Ko Zin Min Htet, U Than Hlaing Htay, Daw Mya Mya Win and another man were taken from their homes by junta soldiers.

“Six junta soldiers and the village administrator abducted six locals from their homes for questioning. Family members have not been able to contact the detainees,” said a resident.

The regime has been bolstering its military presence in Gwa Township and has tightened security checks on locals, prompting some locals to flee to Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions.

“Local people who remain in Gwa live in fear of potentially looming hostilities. They are worried that they will be arrested by the military,” said a resident of Gwa.

There are also hundreds of people who fled to Gwa from neighbouring Thandwe due to ongoing fighting there, with those displaced facing difficulties due to junta restrictions on travel and transportation of food.