Military detains seven youths in Ponnagyun

By DMG 09 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
9 November 2022, Ponnagyun

Seven residents of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township were arrested by junta troops on Monday night, with the detainees being interrogated at the military’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 550, according to family members.

The arrestees have been identified as Ko Maung Myo Lwin, 24; Ko Ye Lin Tun, 25; and Ko Aung Kyaw Htay, 23, from Natseik Village; Ko Maung Soe Win from Tanswel Village; Ko Aung Myo Than from Ponnagyun’s Sanpya Ward; and two others from the Aung Beikma Monastery.

The seven men were taken by junta soldiers from the military’s Ponnagyun-based LIB No. 550 at a restaurant near Uriz Mingalar suspension bridge at about 8:30 p.m. on November 8, a family member of detainee Ko Ye Lin Tun told DMG.

“Seven young men were enjoying alcohol at the restaurant at the time of arrest. They were abducted by soldiers from the military’s Ponnagyun-based LIB No. 550. Family members are now planning to see the detainees,” the relative added.

The men are currently held at the military’s LIB No. 550, and had not been allowed to meet with their families as of press time.

“They [the seven men] were told that they would be released after they were questioned, but they are not allowed to meet their family members,” said a relative of another detainee.

DMG attempted to phone Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura regarding the matter, but he could not be reached.

Fierce fighting between the military and Arakan Army is ongoing across much of Arakan State, where residents are on edge as a series of arrests and abductions have taken place over recent weeks, with both of the warring sides taking people into custody.