Ponnagyun residents fear junta arrest after spree of detentions

By DMG 18 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
18 June 2022, Ponnagyun 

The Myanmar regime has detained at least five residents in Ponnagyun Township after the Arakan Army (AA) detained a junta soldier on Thursday, according to locals. 

Following the AA’s detention of the junta soldier, the regime detained U Ba Hlaing, 30, U Kyaw Min, 61, and U Win Maung Than, 30, from Sanpya and Myothit wards on June 16. 

Two more residents from Sanpya ward were detained on Friday, sources told DMG. 

“I didn’t notice how many soldiers were involved in the arrest. They didn’t handcuff him. They said they have questions to ask him,” said a relative of U Kyaw Min. 

Armed junta soldiers were also patrolling around Ponnagyun town and made random checks on passers-by. Witnesses said they saw at least 10 motorbike taxi drivers and shoppers being detained near the market in Myothit ward on Saturday morning. 

“There may be more than 10. One or two people had their hands tied behind their backs. Others were putting their hands on their heads,” said a witness. 

The witness said it was not clear if the individuals he saw were taken into custody or not. 

About 40 junta soldiers also carried out checks on customers at a tea shop in Sanpya ward. They briefly questioned customers who had not brought their national registration cards (citizenship ID cards) along with them, said another witness who asked for anonymity. 

“The whole town is silent now. All the residents are staying in their houses and dare not make noises. Eateries and shops only opened for a while. They have closed after junta soldiers carried out checks on customers. Those who did not bring national registration cards were held. However, women were released,” said the source. 

Streets were deserted on Friday as residents stayed in their houses for fear of additional junta arrests. Many students stayed home from school as well. The central market in Ponnagyun was also closed on Saturday.