Two Kyaukphyu men arrested for suspected ties to Arakan Army

By Thet Paing 30 Jul 2020

Thet Paing | DMG
30 July, Sittwe

Two residents of Kyan Chaing village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township were arrested over alleged connections to the Arakan Army, the Tatmadaw True News Information Team said on July 29.

Security personnel intercepted six men travelling to Paungnetgyi Island in two boats at about 6 p.m. on July 21. Three of the men managed to flee the scene by jumping into the water, one of whom was arrested about 45 minutes later, the Tatmadaw’s public relations outfit said.

Among the four detainees, two identified as Ko Aung Tin Wai and Ko Myint Myat Tun were responsible for collecting food and money for the Arakan Army, and a landmine blast at Thaing Chaung Junction on June 3 was masterminded by the duo, the military’s statement alleged.

The statement said the two men may also have spied on the activities of security personnel and troop movements.

The two detainees are to be transferred to the concerned department and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law, the statement continued, adding that arrangements are being made to arrest the two men who eluded detention on July 21.

Locals are reportedly pushing back against the Tatmadaw narrative, however. The six men from Kyan Chaing village went to Paungnetgyi Island to fish, Arakan State MP for Kyaukphyu Township U Kyaw Lwin quoted residents as saying.

“I heard they went to Paungnetgyi Island to catch fish. I received a phone call that residents were worried about their safety as a military column entered the village and conducted interrogations of the villagers on that day. Now no one remains in the village,” the lawmaker said.

Family members of the arrested men have so far been unable to make contact with them, U Kyaw Lwin added.

The number of people arrested on suspicion of having illicit ties to the Arakan Army has risen notably in Kyaukphyu Township over recent weeks, although the township has not seen the same frequency or intensity of hostilities between the military and ethnic armed organisation as witnessed in other parts of the state.