Regime makes several arrests in southern Arakan 

By Admin 30 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 November 2023, Kyaukphyu

At least 13 people have reportedly been arrested by Myanmar’s military regime in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Taungup and Thandwe townships over recent days.

Among the broader pool of individuals detained on political charges since fighting flared anew in Arakan State are 16 people from Kyaukphyu, 11 from Taungup, three from Thandwe and one from Ramree. The regime detained 23 local people in Kyaukphyu in early November and released seven of them on November 29.

Arrests of locals followed the junta’s increasing its military presence and tightening security checks on residents in southern Arakan State. Among the detainees are businessmen, social activists and women.

On November 28, about 30 junta soldiers abducted U Maung Thein Kyi, U Ba Khin Aung, U Tun Min Htay, U Tin Maung Chay, Ko Aung Than Soe and Ko Yin Gyi from Kyaukphyu’s Kulabartaung Ward for questioning.

“We don’t know where they [detainees] were taken and the reason for the arrest. Family members are worried about the safety of detainees whose whereabouts remain unknown,” said a source close to the detainees.

Junta soldiers took 11 residents from their homes in Taungup at about 9 p.m. on November 13 and the detainees have not been released yet, locals said.

“They have been detained for 17 days. Family members of the detainees live in fear. The regime has yet to inform family members about the detainees,” said a local Taungup woman.

Five junta soldiers took U Hla Tun Phyu, a resident of Ward 6 in Ramree, on November 28 and Daw Yi Yi Khin and her daughter Ma Shwe Yi Win from Nattaungmaw Village in Thandwe Township were also arrested by the regime.

“I don’t know exactly the reason for the arrest. There are reports of junta soldiers searching for her [Daw Yi Yi Khin’s] husband. As the junta soldiers were unable to arrest the wanted man, they detained his wife and daughter,” suggested a local man in Thandwe.

The regime has made a series of arrests of locals since renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) began in Arakan State on November 13, the ethnic armed group has said.

Activists see the regime’s arrests of civilians as an exercise in fear.

“Since renewed fighting in Arakan State on November 13, the regime has started the arrests of innocent civilians. Locals in Arakan State live in fear. The regime arrested dozens of locals in Arakan State on suspicion of having ties to the AA,” said an activist in Arakan State.

The regime has detained at least 70 civilians in Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Taungup, Ramree, Sittwe, Buthidaung and Ponnagyun townships since clashes began again on November 13.