Junta detains former chairman of Kyaukphyu Twsp ALD

By Admin 14 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 April 2024, Kyaukphyu

The junta has detained U Tun Lwin, chairman of the Kyaukphyu Township branch of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD).

Regime soldiers abducted U Tun Lwin, in his 50s, from his home in Kyaukphyu’s Ceditaung Ward at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, a family member said.

“Around six junta soldiers in civilian dress took him. The reason for the arrest remains unknown and we are investigating where he was taken,” said the family member.

Regime soldiers also seized a laptop and two mobile phones from his home. U Tun Lwin is a resident of Kalante Village in Kyaukphyu and became a member of Arakan National Party in 2014.

U Tun Lwin contested in the 2015 general elections as an independent candidate and served as chairman of the Kyaukphyu ALD in 2019.

“Due to differences of opinion within the ANP, Arakanese parties split into ALD and AFP, but U Tun Lwin remained a politician. As much as he could, he contributed to the Kyaukphyu town and is still standing for the people,” said a local politician in Kyaukphyu.

U Tun Lwin also opened a school in his home for middle and high school students and taught English speaking classes.

“U Tun Lwin is philanthropic. He has the full desire to educate young people. And people from every community, including the townspeople, have love and respect for him. I feel sad that he was arrested,” said a resident in Kyaukphyu.

Politicians and activists in Kyaukphyu went into hiding as the regime arrested a former NLD party member in December 2023.

The regime controls urban areas in Kyaukphyu while the AA holds the rural areas in the island township, and military tensions between the two sides are running high.