Military detains four Kyaukphyu Twsp men including fisheries official

By DMG 30 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 September 2022, Kyaukphyu

Four local men including an officer from the Department of Fisheries in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township were arrested this week by the Myanmar military and are facing criminal charges, according to residents.

The detainees have been identified as U Kyaw Hsint, an officer from the Department of Fisheries, and Ko Yan Naing Min aka U Thauk Hsan, Ko Than Maung and Ko Maung Naing from Kyaukphyu’s Asoeya Ward. Ko Than Maung, Ko Maung Naing and U Kyaw Hsint were taken from an office of the Department of Fisheries on the afternoon of September 28, a source said.

“Three men were taken from the office and the arrestees are local fishermen. They were sued for incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code,” the source added.

Ko Yan Naing Min aka Ko Thauk Hsan, a local fisherman from Asoeya Ward, was taken from his home on September 27 and was charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, said a source close to the accused.

“He [Ko Yan Naing Min] earns a living as a fisherman. He was arrested by around 30 junta soldiers and charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act. He is currently being held at Kyaukphyu Prison,” he added.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the regime, regarding the military’s detention of the four men in Kyaukphyu.

The regime has made a series of civilian arrests since fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) resumed in Arakan State over recent months. In just the past two months, fighting has flared in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Rathedaung and Ponnagyun townships in Arakan State, and in Paletwa Township, Chin State.